Catherine "Cathy" Verly

Catherine Ann (Cathy) Verly was born on January 22, 1962, to Albert and Anna (Doom) Verly. She completed our family of 15 siblings, 9 girls and 6 boys. Cathy attended Holy Redeemer School through the 8^th grade and graduated from Marshall Senior High School in 1980.  She continued her education at Willmar Vocational Technical Institute with a degree as a secretary.

Cathy moved back to Marshall and worked for Saint Stephen’s Lutheran Church and Schott Corporation.  She then moved to Litchfield and worked at Pizza Ranch and her favorite position as a People Greeter for Walmart, where her loving nature was a bright spot to many customers.

Cathy was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer in January of 2017.  She defied all odds by surviving nearly 7 years.  During this time, we watched her faith grow as she became even closer to Jesus. Cathy struggled with her emotional health all her adult life.  When living in her apartment became too difficult for her, she moved to Jan’s Place, a group home in Litchfield.  In June of 2021, Cathy moved to Marshall where she lived in a REM home. In June of 2023 she moved to Fieldcrest in Cottonwood.  

Cathy is most known for her thoughtfulness, generosity, and beautiful smile.  She loved doing crafts and gifted most everyone with cherished colorings, homemade jewelry, and beautiful cards.  Cathy loved to spend time with her family and friends, playing Yahtzee, 500 and various games.  We never knew when Cathy would break out in a favorite song and dance routine! She had a very special friendship with many of her relatives and friends.  Cathy had a way of making each and every person she was with feel extra special.  She always showed appreciation for good deeds, large and small. 

Cathy’s family is very grateful for the excellent care she has received throughout the years, most recently from the Fieldcrest and Hospice staff.

Cathy died peacefully, surrounded by family on Sunday, December 24, 2023, at Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Cottonwood. Cathy is survived by her siblings:  Roger (Shirley) Verly, Bernie (Nick) Reuter, Shirley (Denny) Timmerman, Char Popowski, Fran (Sharon) Verly, Rose (Lynn) Goltz, Pat Timmerman, Therese DeBaere, Elaine (Doug) Sietsema, Lou (Gary) Wischer; sister-in law Barb (Clayton) Minnehan, brother-in-law John Carlson; many nieces and nephews and lifelong friends.

Cathy was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Anna; siblings Leroy, Chuck, Denny and Joe; brothers-in-law Dennis Popowski and Gary Timmerman and sister-in-law Carol Carlson, several nieces and nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Holy Redeemer Church or School or Prairie Home Hospice. 

Blessed be Cathy’s memory.