Catherine Leichtenberg, age 86, of Mitchell and formerly of Iroquois, died Thursday, December 18, 2008, at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell.

Her funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 22, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Iroquois with burial at St. Paul's Cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at the Welter Funeral Home and from 6-8 p.m. at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Iroquois with the family present at the church and a Scripture Service at 7 p.m.; or Monday morning one hour prior to the Mass at the church.

Catherine Mary Leichtenberg was born on May 2, 1922, to Charles and Anna (Wall) Leichtenberg at Bancroft, SD. She attended grade school at Woonsocket and Cavour. She graduated from Yale High School in 1940. After graduation she attended Notre Dame Junior College earning a teaching certificate. She taught school for 34 years teaching at rural Arlington, Yale, Aughenbaugh, and Meyer schools. She taught at the Pearl Creek Colony School for 26 years where she made several friendships through the years.

She retired in 1986 and stayed on the farm. Her hobbies were baking, canning and sharing with others her brownies, caramel corn, and sweet pickles.

Due to ill health, Catherine moved in 2006 to an apartment in Iroquois.

Catherine was an active member of St. Paul's Catholic Church and altar society. She was also a member of the American Legion auxiliary.

She is survived by two sister-in-laws, Delores (Bernard) Leichtenberg and Velma (Robert) Leichtenberg, many nieces and nephews, and many special friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her two sisters, Josephine Stroup and Margaret Morrow, her three brothers, Charles, Bernard, and Robert Leichtenberg, two brother-in-laws, Earl Stroup and Bill Morrow, and one sister-in-law Mabel Leichtenberg.