Catherine "Cathy" Ann (Lorenz) Krahn
March 14, 1938 – June 3, 2024

On the 3rd of June, 2024, Cathy passed away peacefully and went onto her reward in Heaven.  She was a fighter until the end, battling physical challenges to "keep going, because that is what I have to do."

Cathy was born on March 14, 1938 in Langdon, North Dakota.  She grew up in Walhalla ND and graduated from Walhalla High School in 1956. Throughout her lifetime she constantly shared her love of her hometown. She pursued a degree in nursing, earned her BSN degree, and was hired as the nurse at the town clinic.  Shortly after, she met and fell in love with Henry Cornelius Krahn MD on a blind date. They knew from the first date they were perfect for each other and married on July 6, 1960, less than one year after they met.  They worked together in the medical practice in Walhalla until she retired from nursing when their oldest son was born on their first anniversary.  Four kids in five years made for a busy family.

In 1968, Cathy and Henry moved to Omaha where she was able to be near her sister Patricia for a few years, before moving to Springfield, MO in 1971. Springfield quickly became their home where they met many amazing friends over the years.  All four kids swam competitively, and in their younger years, days and weekends were filled with swim practices and swim meets.  Cathy never missed an event of her kids, sporting or otherwise.

Cathy shared Henry's passion for lake life (which they passed onto their kids).  For well over 40 years, family gatherings were a constant at Table Rock Lake.

Faith, family and friends were Cathy's biggest passions, and she poured out time and love on her family.  As the grandchildren came along, she was the first to help out the new moms along with her expertise and time.  Her influence will continue to live on through her kids and grandkids, and she enjoyed many nicknames from the new additions to the family – including Gooky (Mallory), Grandma Kacky (Zach) – before they could say Grandma Cathy.  Attending mass at Holy Trinity Church was a very important part of her life.

Cathy enjoyed golfing, playing in a women's league as well as with Henry at Hickory Hills Country Club where they made many friends. They also loved playing in Palm Desert, CA where they were blessed to become snowbirds during the winter months following Henry's retirement.

It would be almost impossible to find someone more caring and compassionate than Cathy.  She was a champion for the underdog and always there to comfort and stand up for anyone needing love and support.

Cathy was preceded in death by her husband Henry, and her son Tim of Memphis, TN.

Cathy is survived by her three loving children, Mike Krahn and his wife Eve of Kansas City, MO; Jane Ballenger and her husband Jay of Springfield, MO; Cindi VanWingerden and her husband Abe of Huntersville, NC; Tim's wife Maria of Sarasota, FL.

Cathy is also survived by 12 treasured grandchildren: Alexis Kollasch-McGarvey and her husband Terry McGarvey, Katie Krahn, Chris Krahn, Mallory Krahn and her husband Drew Thomas, Madeline Krahn and her husband Lu Duong, Erin Krahn, Megan Evans and her husband Will, Macy Ballenger, Brayton Ballenger and his wife Anna, Noah VanWingerden, Andrew VanWingerden and his wife Maria Espinosa, and Zach VanWingerden; three great-grandchildren: Emma, Adeline, and Owen Evans.

Visitation will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church on June 7 from 1-2 PM. Funeral Mass to follow at 2 PM, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.  A private family burial will be held.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri
https://ccsomo.org/

A video tribute to Cathy's life can be found at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfuMCtYPR0s

The family would like to thank the Springhouse Village Assisted Living Community – both the staff and her treasured new friends she made there -  for their wonderful care of Cathy during her last years.