Catherine Lindrup

With a life that spanned nearly a century, Catherine Lindrup made a significant impact on the hearts and lives of those around her. She was a classy lady who considered it both her highest calling and her greatest blessing to care for the family she treasured more than life itself. A faith-filled woman, Catherine was mindful of others and gave back to the community she called home throughout much of her life. As her friends and family can attest, she squeezed every last drop out of life that she could, drinking in so many of the fascinating adventures that life has to offer. Catherine leaves behind lessons in graciousness, humility, and unconditional love that will live on in the lives of those who follow her. Daily life in America during the early part of the 1900s exposed people to many of the same struggles we have today with issues such as poverty and immigration reform in the forefront. As WWI was brewing overseas by the year 1916, we had hopes of remaining neutral as President Woodrow Wilson declared that America was too proud to fight. Amidst this time of great trial this proved to be an exciting year for one family from Muskegon, Michigan, since it was on November 21st that they welcomed a baby girl into their hearts and home. Catherine Orilla was ushered into the arms of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Ramsey, and was one of three children in her family including her brothers, Russell Hyatt and Laurin Daniel. Her father owned a bar in Holton, but retired to farming in Shelby while her mother was a busy homemaker. In many ways Catherine experienced a childhood that was not unlike other children of her generation. Much of her time was spent playing with her siblings, especially outside. They loved playing red light/ green light, jacks, and a lot of baseball with Catherine usually playing catcher. She also liked helping her mother with the baking and watching her mother embroider clothes. Tragedy struck at a young age for Catherine with the death of her mother when she was just nine years old. Her mother was expecting a baby, but both she and the baby died during childbirth. Catherines family had various housekeepers to help out including an English couple, the Sleemans, whose younger daughter, Edith, mentored Catherine as a young adult. The Stiegs family from Ravenna also helped out. As a student Catherine attended local schools including Muskegon High School. It was during her tenth grade year that she met the young man with whom she would share a lifetime of love. His name was Herbert Paul Lindrup and they began dating. Their love for each other blossomed during the next few years, and Catherine graduated from high school in 1935. Deeply in love, Catherine and Herbert married on December 6, 1940, in Muskegon, and they drove to Ravenna for a reception. It was quite the experience as they got stuck in a snow bank on the way home. Catherine and Herbert were compatible in so many ways, especially because they enjoyed some of the same interests including ice skating and hunting usually on Giles Road for rabbit and in Ravenna for pheasant. The couple was delighted to become the parents of two wonderful girls, Linda and Susan. Catherine fully embraced her role as a mother as she masterfully found the balance between training her girls and spoiling them rotten. She loved being a homemaker and was always able to keep everything running smoothly at home. Catherine was a fantastic cook who could prepare any wild animal that her husband brought home, and she also passed these essential skills on to her girls. Her desserts were fantastic, too, and she always made sure she had cookies in the cookie jar. Catherine encouraged her children to always try new things and instilled within them the need to be a positive thinker. Although her first priority was always her family, Catherine kept busy with other organizations as well. She was on the reunion committee from Muskegon High School for 45 years and was also part of the MSU Extension. Catherine was president of the Oakview PTA and also of the Muskegon County PTA Council. She was a member of Laketon Bethel Reformed Church where she taught Sunday school and was a member of the ladies guild. Catherine was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, currently of the White Lake chapter #201, and the Muskegon Womens Club and the VFW Auxiliary. Even when she was at home Catherine had more than enough to keep her busy. She had a love for animals and they had several through the years. Catherine was often busy with her hands doing things such as crafting, candle making, sewing, knitting, embroidery, crocheting, mending, painting, and recycling things into something new. Her unmatched cooking skills combined with her gift of hospitality naturally led to her love for entertaining. Later in life Catherine continued to live life to the fullest. After Herbert retired they enjoyed their summer home on Big Platte Lake where they kept busy hunting, collecting Petoskey stones, biking, going on visits to the treasure chest, and boating on a variety of watercraft including canoes, paddle boats, sailboats. When their girls married and established families of their own, Catherine was overjoyed that there were more people to love. Her grandchildren loved going to grandmas house, and they knew they were always welcome. They will forever remember their grandmother in so many ways like the fun they always had on the lake together, her love for owls, humming, and ice cream, the mouthwatering feasts she prepared, and baking and decorating Christmas cookies. No matter the occasion, Catherine never missed recognizing it with a card, and her entire family will never forget the fun they had playing the chicken tracks game. The life of Catherine Lindrup is a lesson in what it means to truly live and to deeply love those around us. She was selfless in everything she did and was in many ways the rock of her family. Catherine was fun loving and adventurous, and she was never afraid of trying something new. She will be deeply missed in so many ways, but her memories will live on in all of our hearts. Catherine O. Lindrup died on Saturday, June 4, 2011. Catherines family includes her daughters, Linda Kay (Duane Wright) LaBash of Muskegon, Susan Lakatos of Allen Park MI; grandchildren, Cynthia, Paul, David, Heather, Robert; great-grandchildren, Derek, Melissa, Brittany, Bryce, Halie, Kinnley; great-great- grandchildren, Joey brother, Laurin Ramsey of Muskegon; many nieces & nephews. Catherine was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Herbert in 1992; grandchild, John James; brother, Russell Hyatt; sons-in-law, George Lakatos & Tom LaBash; nieces, Marsha & Janine; nephew, Jim; 3 sisters-in-law & 1 brother-in-law. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, 11:00 a.m. and visitation 1 hour prior to the service at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Pastor Ben Jansen officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to Christian Care Building Fund. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.