Catherine T. Naukam

Mrs. Catherine Rowena (Thompson) Naukam, 92, of McPherson, entered eternal rest at 6:57 p.m., Sunday, March 7th, 2010 peacefully at Cedars Health Care Center, McPherson, Kansas.

Catherine Rowena Naukam, the daughter of James Benjamin and Mary Frances (Holt) Thompson, was born November 18, 1917 at Haley, Tennessee. She was the youngest of four children born to this union, two sons, and two daughters: James Baxter (JB), Mary Frances, Robert, and Catherine. She attended a one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade and drove a pony and buggy to high school in Wartrace, Tennessee where she graduated. During these years she helped her siblings and parents with the many chores that come with living on a farm. She learned to play the piano as a child and enjoyed singing in church. She also taught Sunday school along with her father, each teaching at a different church denomination. Following graduation, Catherine worked in a pencil factory in the accounting department in Huron, Ohio. One day after work, Catherine was eating dinner at a small diner in Huron when she met a handsome young man who was stationed at Huron from the Coast Guard. This man would end up being the man of her dreams.

Catherine was united in marriage to Eugene Martin “Gene” Naukam, Jr. on June 12, 1943 at Cleveland, Ohio. The young couple established their first home together in Buffalo, New York, before Gene was discharged from the Coast Guard. This union was blessed with the birth of three children, two sons, and one daughter: Gene III, Mary Ann, and John. Catherine was a wonderful mother and homemaker taking great pride in providing for her family. Catherine was a devoted Christian throughout her life. After working for Swift and Company Gene went to work for Moore Business Forms, Inc. as a salesman which had the family living in many places including, Paducah, KY, Memphis, TN, Montgomery, AL, Omaha, NE, Midland, TX, Enid, Ok, Ponca City, OK, Overland Park, KS, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Alpharetta, GA where they retired. They lived there for 30 years prior to moving to McPherson in 2004, because of emerging health issues.

Catherine was a devoted Lutheran, loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Her wise counsel, gentle guidance, and gracious smile will be missed by those who knew and loved her. She was very proud of her children and always wanted the best for them. Catherine was especially fond of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren always looking forward to their visits and times they would share together. She loved to play duplicate bridge, and golf in her later years with Gene. She also spent many enjoyable hours knitting, crocheting, doing embroidery work, cross-stitching, and reading. Catherine also spent time out-of-doors working in her garden. If ever asked about her age, Catherine would tell you “I’m “21” with 71 years of experience”. This was because when she was 20 she could not get a good government job where one of the responsibilities was signing checks. One of mom’s favorite sayings when we were feeling down and out was “God helps those who help themselves”. Catherine was very proud of the fact that she and Gene and all of her siblings and their spouses all lived to be married over fifty years before any of them lost their spouse.

Mrs. Catherine Rowena (Thompson) Naukam, 92, of McPherson, entered eternal rest at 6:57 p.m., Sunday, March 7th, 2010 peacefully at Cedars Health Care Center, McPherson, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, James Baxter (JB) Thompson and Robert Thompson; one sister, Mary Frances Davis.

Surviving family members include her devoted husband of over sixty-six years, Eugene Martin "Gene" Naukam, Jr. of McPherson, Kansas; her daughter, Mary Ann Musselwhite and her husband Ellis of McPherson, Kansas; her sons, Gene Naukam, III and his wife Anna of Edmond, Oklahoma and John Naukam and his wife Nina of Sommertown, Tennessee; 6 grandchildren, Monica Gerhardstein and her husband Joe, Drew Naukam and his wife Sharon, Cathy Jones and her husband Travis, Debra Naukam, Brian Musselwhite and his wife Beth, and Jill Ann Mead and her husband Justin; 5 step-grandchildren, Gary Curt, Cheri Berry, Susan Curt, Sonja Hughes, and Shawn Hughes; 11 great-grandchildren; 9 step-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; other relatives; and a host of friends.

Catherine always signed her letters, birthday, father’s day, or anniversary cards to her husband and him to her:

“Mizpah”

Genesis 31:49 And Mizpah; for he said, the Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Glidden – Ediger Chapel, McPherson, Kansas with the Reverend Tim Leaf officiating. Special music “The Lord’s Prayer” and “How Great Thou Art” will be sung by Alice Johnson and with Linda Jones accompanying. “Jesus Loves Me” will be played.

The final resting place will be at the McQuiddy-King Family Cemetery in Normandy, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Of South and Central Kansas or McPherson Relay for Life or Age-Related Macular Degeneration and they can be sent in care of the Glidden - Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid Street; McPherson, Kansas 67460.