CATHY A. DETERS

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Cathy Ann Deters, the world traveler, embarked on the last great journey on June 5, 2024, surrounded by her family and faithful dog PeeWee. She had traveled to exotic destinations  and appreciated many diverse people groups and cultures, but made her homes in Muscatine, Iowa and Honolulu, Hawaii.  

Cathy was born on July 15, 1950, in Willmar, MN, the daughter of Ernest and Dorothea (Peterson) Petersen. She was united in marriage to her traveling partner LeRoy E. Deters on March 8, 1969, in Duluth, MN. 

Cathy took great joy in caring for others. Her handmade cards communicated love and appreciation. She enjoyed cooking for others as a way of saying “I love you”.  She was known locally and abroad by the name “Oma”.  

It has been said that Oma was the perfect amount of love and sass. She was silly and fun with just enough naughty to earn her the title “Shenanigator in Chief”. She loved people and learning about the world through travel. She had an open mind and a kind and generous heart. 

Cathy’s professional life focused on service to others. Trained as a nurse, she specialized in elder care. She was the Director of Senior Circle and the Lutheran Homes Memory Care Unit, which she helped design and develop.  She earned the Governor's Volunteer Award in 1998 for her work with the Commission on Aging and founding an Alzheimer's support group.  After retirement, she volunteered as a docent with Hanauma Bay Program (HBEP), It takes a Village Animal Rescue, her church Faith United and several other organizations.

She is survived by her devoted husband, LeRoy; children, Cheryl (Larry) Mann, Karen (Mike) Hartman, and James (Becky) Deters; grandchildren Dylan (Alyssa) Mann, Ashelyn Mann, Cheyenne Mann, Madeline (Evan) Sinnott,  Allison Hartman, Gabby Hartman, Zuzu Hartman, Joseph Deters, Hannah Deters, and Jonathan Deters; great granddaughter, Tahlia Sinnott; siblings, Alan (Shirley) Petersen, Susan (Bruce)  Milton,  Donell (Bob) Beaulieu, Kristen (Arnie)  Grimstrup, and Sonja (Willard) Ario; numerous nieces and nephews; and her dog, PeeWee.  

She is preceded in death by her parents, and two nephews, Paul Beaulieu and Wally Macomber.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m.,  Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Faith United Church of Christ in Muscatine, Iowa. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Aloha wear is preferred.  Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to It Takes a Village Animal Rescue and Resources, the ALS Association, or Faith United Church of Christ.