Catherine Johnson

Funeral services for Catherine “Cae” Johnson will be held Tuesday, January 25th, 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sac City with Father Larry McCarty and Father James Kiernan presiding. Charles Schulte will accompany Steve Goecke with special music. Pallbearers include her grandsons: Doug Foster, Rex Stout, Jeff Stegeman, Jim Stegman, Mark Stegeman, Eric Stegeman, and John Kiernan. Honorary pallbearers include her granddaughters: Sharon Hadden, Mimi Wagner, Kelley Robinson, Sue King, Diane Stout, and Cindy Mata. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Auburn, Iowa, under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 pm, Monday, January 24th, at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City, with a vigil service at 7:00 pm.

Catherine “Cae” Johnson, age 90, of Lake View, IA, passed away on Friday, January 21, 2005 at Stewart Memorial Hospital on Lake City, IA.

Catherine F. Irwin was born April 23, 1914, to George R. Irwin and Francis Cunningham on the George R. Irwin farm, Clinton Township, Sac County, IA. Her mother died when Cae was 10 months old. Her grandfather, Charles W. Irwin raised her. She was baptized as an infant in the Methodist faith, and baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith in 1940 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sac City where she has remained a member and attended both Sac City and Auburn churches, serving on the Altar Society many years ago.

Cae attended Sac Elementary School and graduated from Sac High School in 1932. She continued her education at National Business Training in Sioux City IA.

On May 21, 1940, Cae was united in marriage to Frank Johnson at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sac City. Frank passed away November 4, 1970. To this union four daughters were born; Caryl Ann, Kathy, Nancy and Sherry.

Cae’s crowning glory was her family She was a homemaker who loved her daughters. She thoroughly enjoyed holiday get-togethers throughout the year and the annual family gathering at the farm every fall. Cae was a special woman with talents in many areas. She was an avid reader all of her life and loved needlework and crafts. Her unique poetry was personal and entertaining. Playing the piano and music were pure enjoyment for her. She had a caring way of making you feel special, with warmth and compassion. Her wonderful smile lit up any room and she welcomed her friends with warm hospitality, hugs and good food.

In addition to working at Country School, Cae stayed active as a 4H Leader, was in Sac County Democrats, NFO, volunteered at the Museum, Library, Social Services, and the Blood Mobile. She helped on the farm and worked outside the home doing numerous clerical jobs. In 1981, she retired after working for 23 years at Empress Stationary.

Those left to cherish her memory include her very special friend Curly Crozier, Lake View, IA; her daughters: Caryl Ann Higgins, Sac City, IA; Kathy (Dick) Suntken, Lake View, IA; Nancy Kuenen, Des Moines, IA; Sherry (Tom) Kiernan, Auburn, IA. Her grandchildren are: Sue (Aaron) King, Diane Stout (Bryan Muhlbauer), Rex (Heidi) Stout; Sharon (Tim) Hadden, Doug (Julie) Foster, Mimi (Jim) Wagner, Kelley (Todd) Robinson; Jeff (Meghan) Stegeman, Jim Stegeman (Mindy Millard), Cindy (Genaro II) Mata, Mark Stegeman (Michelle Howe), Eric Stegeman; and John Kiernan. Great grandchildren include: Caitlin and Caden King; Logan Stout, Alexis Stout-Kritenbrink, Hunter Muhlbauer; Sage and Kale Stout; Chris, Jonnie (Sarah), Beau Hadden; Alex Foster; Michael, Scott, Ben, Libby Wagner; Emily and Bailey Robinson; Genaro III, Miguel, Zachery and Justice Mata; and Ashley Stegeman. Cae’s only great-great grandchild is Kaitlyn Hadden. Step-grandchildren include: Wendy (Jerry) Netherton and family; Steve (Diana) Suntken and family; Melody (Joe) Gaynor and family; David (Mary) Suntken and family; Michelle (Trace) Franks and family. Sisters include: Mary Rahn and Alice Ann Huisenga.

Cae was preceded in death by her mother, Francis Cunningham; her father and stepmother George and Emma Irwin; husband Frank Johnson and half-brothers Kenneth, Harold, and Clarence Irwin.