Catherine Elizabeth Caudill

Catherine Elizabeth Caudill, age 94, of Albia passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at Oakwood Specialty Care Center in Albia. Catherine was born March 22, 1925 to Pete and Anna (Gergely) Sereg at home in rural Eddyville, Iowa. She attended Forest Hill school through 8th grade, then stayed home one year to help her ill mother. To attend high school, she boarded in town and graduated from Eddyville High School, Class of 1945. She taught at Garfield School 1945 – 1947. She married Clair Caudill on March 8, 1947 at the St. Mary’s Catholic rectory in Albia. Their marriage was blessed with six children, Susan, Dean, Rose, Chris, Bill and Dan. They shared 64 years of marriage, until Clair’s death in 2011. Catherine was a stay at home mom kept busy raising their children and volunteering with their many activities. Throughout life she was creative enjoying hobbies of painting, wood crafts, crocheting, ceramics, sewing, and quilting. She made more than 30 quilts treasured by her children and grandchildren and leaves many quilts to be completed. She sewed the last projects for the 2018 family Christmas. Catherine was a great cook with black raspberry pie, bread and kolaches from her Czech heritage among family favorites. Many young couples were lucky to receive her crocheted ‘names’ as wedding gifts. In the past few years, her day was not complete without watching Mass on tv and completing all the daily newspaper puzzles. Catherine worked part time at Jefferson School serving lunch, and earned several Mrs. Albee’s, coveted Avon sales awards during the 15 years she sold Avon. She was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Altar and Rosary Society, Companions of the Precious Blood, Albia Crazy Quilters, and Albia Garden Club. Catherine is survived by her children and grandchildren, Susan (Mike)McDonnell-Brumm, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and her children, Jason McDonnell and Sara (Lannie) McDonnell-Lukesh; Dean (Madonna) Caudill and their children, Tami (Tony) Akridge; Scott (Melissa) Caudill; Missy (Mark) Summers; Jeff (Jessica) Caudill; and Lisa Caudill; Chris Caudill and his children, Edwin and Clara; Bill (Vicki) Caudill and their children, Miranda (Cody) Ingle, Andy Burnside, Brianna Caudill (Kasten Bodensteiner), Marissa (Evan) Carruthers, and Brendan; Dan (Rhonda) Caudill and their children, Heather (Lee) McDonald and Alisha (Jon) Bower, of Albia. Catherine is also survived by seventeen great grandchildren, Kailey (Kevin) Wynn, Taylor Peterson; Logan, Delaney and Addison Caudill; Jessica (Darren) Miller, Makenzie and Makayla Summers; Jade and Janelle Caudill; Raynan, Rosalyn and Ryant Ingle; Aubree Carruthers; Karter Bodensteiner; Liam and Finn McDonald; one great-great grandson, Chip Wynn; one sister, Dorothy Lewis; and one brother Tom (Karen) Sereg; sister-in-law Ethel (Joe) Lahart, along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sons in infancy, Stephen and Mark Caudill; a daughter, Rose Caudill; a granddaughter, Nicole Caudill; a son-in-law, Pat McDonnell; six brothers, Stephen, Andrew, Joe, Pete, John and Irvin Sereg; and one sister; Margaret Derby. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m., Friday, December 20, 2019, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia with Catherine’s family present from 4:00-8:00 p.m. to greet family and friends. A rosary will be held at 4:00 p.m. led by St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society and a Christian Wake Service will be held at 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 21, 2019, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia, with Fr. Mark Yates, C.PP.S. officiating. Burial will follow the service at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Albia. Memorials may be directed to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Albia Leisure Lounge, or the Welcome Home Soldier Memorial.

Catherine Elizabeth Caudill

March 22, 1925 - December 18, 2019