Visitation for Mary “Cathy” Doidge will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg Dec. 30 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Family Catholic Church will begin at 11 a.m. Dec. 30. The Rev. Bill Schreiber will officiate. Interment will be at St. John’s Catholic Cemetary.
Mary Cathern Doidge, daughter of Maurice R. and Rosellen (Smith) Allen, was born November 30, 1949 in Iowa City, Iowa. Cathy’s childhood included going to school in Mallard, Emmetsburg, Cylinder, Wallingford and Ruthven where she graduated in 1969. A real tomboy with three brothers and numerous foster brothers, Cathy enjoyed riding horses, coon hunting, farm life and taking care of her younger brother, Terry while her mother worked off the farm.
In July 1968 Cathy met her husband-to-be, Jim Doidge, at her dad’s leather and canvas shop in Ruthven. They were married on October 25, 1969 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ruthven. Cathy and Jim were blessed with four daughters and one son.
A born caregiver, Cathy was a great cook, seamstress, wife and mother. She put her whole heart into raising her children, helping others and loving God. She enjoyed quilting, doing crafts, photography, gardening and keeping her collection of sewing machines running. Cathy never met a stranger.
Cathy passed away Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022 at the Palo Alto County Health System in Emmetsburg at the age of 73. She was preceded in death by her parents, Maurice and Rosie Allen; brothers, Ted and Terry Allen; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Louie and Sylvia Doidge; and two infant children who appeared on this earth too soon.
Cathy is survived by her loving husband, Jim of Mallard; her children, Kimberly (Moe) Krause of Emmetsburg, Michael (Beth) Doidge of Cleghorn, Iowa, Christina (Chad) Clausen of Mallard, Michele (Dale) Errthum of Holy Cross, Iowa and Nicole (Jeff) Gambell of West Bend; sixteen grandchildren; one great grandchild; a brother, Tim (Joy) Allen of South Sioux City, Nebraska; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dave and Barbra Tallant of Dubuque, Rod and Virginia Stemme of Lakeville, Minnesota and Angela Allen of Spencer; aunt and uncle, Joan (Orville) Helland of Cylinder; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by her best friend since 2nd grade, Cheryl Sikora of Ruthven; great friend, Theresa Peters of Emmetsburg; and her whole Palo Alto Health System family, whom she called “my people”.
The Martin-Mattice Funeral Home in Emmetsburg is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences can be left at
www.martinmattice
funeralhome.com
