PASADENA, Calif. – Catherine Werner Klinge, 84, died peacefully Nov. 1, 2007, at her home. She was born Nov. 18, 1922, in Charlestown, Ind., daughter of Valentine and Bessie (Richardson) Werner. After graduating from Charlestown High School in 1941, she attended business school. Then in 1948, she was accepted to Purdue University with a full academic scholarship. There she majored in microbiology and became an officer of Zeta Tau Delta sorority. During her senior year while Christmas caroling, she met her future husband, Albert. After a brief courtship and graduating with honors, they were married Aug. 23, 1953, at Charlestown Methodist Church. The happy couple remained at Purdue while Albert completed a master’s degree in agricultural engineering, and subsequently they moved to Los Angeles, where Catherine worked as a lab technician with one of the foremost laboratories studying anaerobic bacteria, while Albert completed his doctoral degree at the University of California, Los Angeles. Catherine achieved her PhT – Pushing Hubby Through degree, and in 1960 left employment to adopt her first child, Alice and in 1962 with Syd. In 1965, the family moved across the country to Orono, home of the University of Maine. Catherine became an active homemaker and involved mother as she and Albert designed and built their own home in the woods on Forest Avenue, and the two of them spent many hours side by side completing the work themselves. Catherine and Albert were very active members of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bangor, where she regularly contributed her delicious baked goods, particularly divinity fudge. Catherine also donated many hours each week to a variety of charities, including Bangor Mental Health Institute and local food banks. She was deeply compassionate and spent much of her time helping others. She was a consistent and loving supporter of her children as they pursued their academic interests; Alice at Springfield College, Massachusetts, and Syd at New York University. After her husband’s retirement from the university in 1988, Catherine and Albert enjoyed many adventures and vacations, including Hawaii, Alaska, Georgia, Germany and Mexico. She often visited and nurtured her adoring grandchildren in Massachusetts, Elenora born 1988 and Lucas born 1993. Her loving husband, Albert, died in 1998 and in 2000, Catherine went to live back in warm southern California near her son, Syd, who took charge of her care. In addition to her husband, Catherine was predeceased by her brother, Clark Werner of Charlestown, Ind. Catherine is survived by her daughter, Alice of Holyoke, Mass.; her son, Syd of Hollywood, Calif., and their respective partners, Bill and Juli. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Elenora Catherine and Lucas. She is survived as well by her brother, Delyn R. Werner of Castro Valley, Calif.; and many loving nieces, nephews, and in-laws of the Werner and Klinge families. She is deeply missed by her loving family, and many lifetime friends. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Nov. 14, at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Seymour, Ind. The family suggests anyone wishing to make a donation in Catherine’s memory, may do so by contributing to the charity of their choice.
CATHERINE W. KLINGE
