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Catherine Hanson
CATHERINE HANSON
Cedar Rapids
Catherine Hanson, 77, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away Monday, Dec. 29, 2014. Funeral service will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 2. The family will greet callers beginning at 9 a.m. Friday. Visitation for Cathy will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home Thursday, Jan. 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. with a vigil beginning at 4 p.m.
Cathy was preceded in death by her parents, father Leo J. Simons and mother Louise Catherine Simons; brother, James Leo Simons; and two infant brothers.
Cathy was born Jan. 27, 1937, in Beaver, Iowa, the daughter of Leo and Louise Simons. This began a series of moves as her father was working for Chicago North Western Railroad and was assigned to a variety of territories.
Leaving Beaver, the family moved to Clinton, Iowa, Chicago, Ill., Antigo, Wis., and then Cedar Rapids. Cathy finished her elementary and high school classes at Immaculate Conception School in Cedar Rapids. Upon graduation, Cathy entered Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wis.
After graduation from college she returned to Cedar Rapids and began teaching for the Cedar Rapids Community Schools. She married Clarence R. Hanson and they had two sons, Paul and Mark. Paul and Karen are parents of Megan and Alex and Mark and Erica are parents of Sawyer, Charlie and Julia.
Cathy continued college by taking evening and summer classes at the University of Iowa with teacher friends. They would test their knowledge on the drive to Iowa City. Cathy then received her master's degree and continued her career with the Cedar Rapids Community Schools. She enjoyed working and doing workshops with staff and students in reading and language arts. Cathy was a good friend to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.
She was so proud of the teachers at the various schools and she often said, "I learn from the students, staff and parents every day."
The family would like to thank West Ridge and Hospice of Mercy House for all their care and compassion.
Condolences may be
left online at cedarmemorial.com under "Obituaries."
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