Catherine R. Anderson

Catherine Anderson of Montevideo died on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at the Clarkfield Care Center at the age of 97.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Friday, November 6, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Montevideo with Rev. Jeff Fitzkappes officiating.  Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Montevideo.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday, November 6, 2026.

Catherine Roberta (Halvorson) Anderson was born on March 30, 1929, at Montevideo Hospital to Cora (Christianson) and Alf Halvorson. She grew up on the Halvorson family farm and attended Clarkfield High School, graduating with the class of 1947.

Kate was an only child until her two cousins came to live with the family after Cora’s sister, Selma, died while giving birth to a little girl. Their father was unable to care for both children, so Don and Al Sheldon came to live with the Halvorsons and grew up as brothers to Kate. Another sister, Inga, and her husband had no children of their own, so they raised Alvin Dean as their son.

While still in grade school, Kate helped care for her grandmother, Ingeborg, while her mother worked alongside her father. Kate often said this experience was where she learned how to care for the elderly.

Kate met the boy who lived across the road in 1941 while playing with his sister, Vivian. Monrud enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during World War II, spending time in Africa, Germany, and Italy before returning home in 1945. After his return, their courtship continued, and they were married on June 22, 1947, at “little” Trinity Lutheran Church in Montevideo.

It poured rain on their wedding day, as it did on many of their anniversaries in the years that followed. Despite the rain, their marriage endured for 51 years. Together, they welcomed two children: Cynthia, born in 1949, and Michael, born in 1953.

Kate and Monrud continued to live on the family farm, where Kate also worked outside the home to help make ends meet. She worked at Johnny’s Supermarket for 17 years, Mark Stenson’s clothing store for four years, and later at Korthuis Jewelry for 27½ years.

When Kate’s mother, Cora, could no longer care for herself in her apartment, she moved to the family farm to live with Kate until entering Luther Haven in 1986.

Kate loved gardening and grew enormous gardens filled with vegetables and flowers. She became especially well known for her gladiolas, planting hundreds each year. She would cut the flowers and bring them to church for others to enjoy, as well as sharing bouquets for birthdays and simply to brighten someone’s day. Kate also maintained a large raspberry patch, and the family picked the berries to sell and share with others.

Monrud passed away in 1998. In 1999, Kate and her daughter, Cynthia, moved into a home in Montevideo. After Cynthia’s passing, Kate moved to Parkview Towers, where she enjoyed playing cards and visiting with both old and new friends. She also lovingly embroidered dish towels for each of her grandchildren.

A lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Kate faithfully participated in many church activities and responsibilities. As her health declined, she moved to the Valhalla Apartments in Clarkfield, where she received care through their nursing program and spent her remaining time.

Kate leaves behind her daughter-in-law, Jeanie; granddaughters Jessica (Joe), Mindy (Nick), Missy (Jason), and Melanie; and great-grandchildren Tristan, Matthew (Emma), Abby (Beau), Gavin, Kooper, Shyanne, Dylan (Kaylee), Dalton (Summer), Daniel (Taylor), Jameson, Maddie, Jon, Charlie, and Jack. She is also survived by her great-great-grandchildren Weston, Rivers, Forest, Rainy, Aiden, Mazie, Finn, Miles, Isla, and Lena. Her brother, Al Sheldon (Diane); his children, Reed and Stacy (Kelly), Walker. Sister-in-law Jeanne and Lauson; along with many extended nieces and nephews.

Kate was preceded in death by her parents, Cora and Alf Halvorson; her husband, Monrud; her daughter, Cynthia; her son, Michael; her grandsons, Jason and Jay; her great-great grandson, Franklin; and her brother, Don Sheldon, along with his children, Laura and Danielle.