Cathie Carlson

Mary “Cathie” Catherine (Goertz) Carlson was born on August 5, 1948, in Waterbury, Nebraska, the fifth of twelve children born to Howard “Jeff” Jefferson and Catherine (Hogan) Goertz. The family relocated to Sioux City, Iowa, when Cathie was a young child. She attended Cathedral of the Epiphany and graduated from Bishop Heelan High School in 1967. Cathie took great pride in being the only one of her siblings to earn a high school diploma.

Cathie met Dennis Carlson, and six months later, they were married on February 6, 1970. They recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. Together, they raised four children: Bruce, Dan, Dave, and Bobbie Jo.

In 1970, Cathie and Dennis moved to Arion, Iowa. Cathie spent many years caring for children from families in Arion and nearby Dow City. Once her own children were raised, she began working outside the home, first at Holiday Gas Station, then at No Frills Supermarket. In 1996, the couple moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where Cathie worked at Gateway Computers until its closure. She then joined ESI and remained there until her retirement in 2013.

Cathie was an active volunteer for many years at Arion Buffalo Days and was always willing to lend a hand to her community.

She cherished time spent camping with family and friends, sharing coffee with neighbors, and cooking and baking with her grandchildren. Most days, you could find her in her favorite recliner, coffee in hand, working on a latch hook project while watching her favorite crime shows. More than anything, Cathie loved being a grandmother, her greatest joy was attending her grandchildren’s events, whether in person or watching online.

Cathie passed away on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Daugherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 76 years, nine months and 16 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Bruce Calrson; granddaughter, Hanna Carlson; brothers: Jim, Joe, Tony and Jerry; sisters: Julie, Jeanne; sibling-in-law: Donald Carlson, Merle Johnson, and Bev (Jerry) Hulsebus.

Cathie is survived by her husband, Dennis Carlson; daughter-in-law, Tracy Carlson of Storm Lake; children: Dan Carlson (George Jacobson) and Dave (Alicia) Carlson all of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Bobbie Jo (Brian) Monner of Norwalk; ten grandchildren: Amanda (Aaron) Adams, Nate Carlson (Becca Simpson), Ben Carlson, Ella Carlson, Harley (Zach) Stewart, Aryanna Backer (Noah Mulford), Carson Backer, Alayna Backer, Roxy Monner and Ike Monner; six great-grandchildren: Addison and Aubrey Adams, Elijah, Sibyl, Rowett and Laidy Stewart; siblings: Lois Daniels, Cindy Amick, Tim (Theresa) Goertz, Rita (Brian) Blanchard and Keith Goertz; special “sister”, Cheri Goertz; sister in law, Betty Johnson; several nieces and nephews; and other family members and friends.

Her memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Huebner Funeral Home in Denison. Inurnment will follow in the Dow City Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family for a donation to be made in her name.