Catherine M. Gruman, 81, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at Touchmark Memory Care in Bismarck, following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. Cathy’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 29, 2014 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Todd Kreitinger as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be on Friday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a Catholic Daughters of America rosary & vigil at 7 p.m., with Deacon Ron Keller presiding at Ladbury Funeral Service.
Catherine M. Kuylen was born on February 27, 1933 in Dickinson, the 2nd daughter of Dutch immigrants, Cornelius “Casey” and Hortense (Leyten) Kuylen. She grew up on a farm near the Heart River until 1949, when the Dickinson Dam was built. They then moved to a farm 4 miles SW of Dickinson. Cathy and her older sister, Caroline, attended Ash Coulee #2 grade school. High school took her to the campus of Dickinson State Teachers College, where she attended Model High School, boarding there during the week. She continued her education at DSTC, obtaining a B.S. Degree in Education. Cathy was very active on campus, belonging to Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and also becoming a runner up to the princess at DSTC Homecoming.
While attending college, Cathy met Bob Gruman. She graduated from college, June 4, 1954 and married Bob the next day, June 5th. For the next 10 years, Cathy was a stay at home mom, welcoming Coral in 1955, Debbie in 1956, and Robert “Spud” in 1957. During these years she enjoyed playing bridge, having coffee with friends and neighbors, and raising three small children. Lori joined the family in 1968. As a family of four, Bob and Cathy enjoyed traveling with their children around the US in their pop-up camper.
In 1961, Trinity High School opened, and in 1964, Cathy began a wonderful 27 year career teaching business (keyboarding). She always said that there was never a day she did not want to go to work. While at Trinity, she was also in charge of the Mardi Gras coatroom, Rose Mass, and Graduation. Cathy truly enjoyed Titan sports, especially when her grandchildren played.
Beyond work and family, Cathy was involved in many things. Proud of her Dutch heritage, she participated in the annual Ethnic Festival for many years. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and multiple bridge clubs. But above all her faith and family were the most important. After retiring in 1991, Bob and Cathy were content to stay home gardening, keeping up their home and maintaining the family farmstead. Following Bob’s death in 2011, Cathy moved to Touchmark Memory Care in Bismarck where she received excellent care.
Cathy is survived by four children, Coral (Dennis) Willer, Bismarck, Debbie (Leonard) Tisi, Bismarck, Robert C. (Connie), Mandan, and Lori (Todd) Hauf, Dickinson; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; her sister, Caroline Heidt; and three nieces and one nephew.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bob on October 29, 2011; and brother-in-law, Rudy Heidt.
