Catherine Josephine Gushwa 1937-2012

 

Catherine Josephine Gushwa, 75, of Creswell, formerly of Cottage Grove and Drain, died Dec. 28, 2012 from cancer.

She was born July 18, 1937 in St. James, Mo. to Frank and Mary (Hatcher) Happle.

On Jan. 1, 1954, she and C. Lee Gushwa were married.

Mrs. Gushwa was a wife, mother and homemaker. She worked in food service for South Lane School District for 23 years.

Catherine enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, entertaining and caring for others. She was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church in Creswell.

Survivors include her husband, two sons, Aaren Gushwa of Redding, Calif., and Brian Gushwa of Eugene, a daughter, Carie Brown of Crescent Lake, two brothers, Jim of Cuba, Mo. and Kenneth of St. James, Mo., six sisters, Pearl, Mary Lou, and Lola of St. James, Mo., Norma Lee of Carthage, Mo., Erma of Cuba, Mo., and Pauline of Joplin, Mo., 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Charles, of Cottage Grove, and a grandson, Matthew Gushwa.

A memorial will be held Saturday, Jan. 12 at 11 a.m. at New Hope Baptist Church in Creswell. A private inurnment will be at Fir Grove Cemetery in Cottage Grove.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements under the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel and Crematorium, Cottage Grove.