AHS1964

  Catherine Marie Hove, 62, of Mason City passed away on Monday, March 3, 2025 at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City, Iowa.   Cathy was born on April 14, 1962 to John and Jane (Shaw) Last in Ottumwa, Iowa. She graduated from Northwood Kensett High School in 1980 before continuing her education at Hamilton Business College. Throughout her life, she worked in various roles, most notably as a medical transcriptionist and a client service specialist for Principal Financial Group.   She found joy in life’s simple pleasures: spending time on her patio soaking up the sun, capturing the beauty of clouds, sunsets, and winter trees through her photography, and caring deeply for her beloved fur babies. She enjoyed playing pool and cards, writing letters to the editor, volunteering and indulging in afternoon naps. Moments spent with friends, and above all, time with her children; Nicholas, Zachary and Micah were among her greatest joys.   A woman of faith, Cat...

  Our dear Cathy I met Cathy shortly after I met Mike.   She was all of 5 years old.   She and her mom and dad and little brother John were living in Forest City.   She was cute and perky and had started kindergarten.   Next she came with her mom and dad to our wedding all dressed up.   What a cutie. My sister wrote “  I remember her when she was a child.  At your and Mike's wedding reception at the house, Jane asked if I'd give her and Cathy a tour of the basement, which I did.  I was impressed with Cathy - a bright, pretty, charming six-year-old, almost elfin-fairylike, lots of potential.” When she was 11 our Gretchen was born.   And two years later our Andy.   Our families gathered together usually twice a year.   She was a helpful cousin with Gretchen and Andy. Somewhere in her late teens she was acquainted with alcohol.   I don’t know how or why.   The distance between our families expanded first geograph...