St. George, Utah – Catherine Kay Kruger, 79, died peacefully on November 20, 2024, at her home in Saint George, UT. She lost her husband, Fred Arthur Kruger, earlier this year. They were married in Santa Barbara, California on April 21, 1979. They enjoyed their blended family of 2 children, 7 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Cathy was born in Torrance, CA on June 5, 1945. She was the oldest of 6 siblings belonging to Henry Theodore Runge and Bonita Marie Runge (Black). They moved around from Oklahoma, Oregon and California. Her family settled in Chico, CA for her high school years graduating from Chico High School.

Cathy worked at a bank in Solvang, CA and was the secretary of the Board of Directors. She also worked as an Accounts Receivable Clerk for a Valley Public Accounting firm. She was a single parent at this time because of a divorce from her first husband. She pushed for women to be able to have credit and have credit cards without a man in their life. She helped give single women a voice in her role at the bank. Later, she and her daughter moved to Santa Barbara, CA where she worked with doctors and a dentist as a receptionist. She discovered she had an eye for interior design and helped many people decorate their homes. She loved putting things together for them. Later after her marriage to Fred, she would make their home beautiful by using her talents to create a home.  This home would be where children and grandchildren and great grandchildren would come and enjoy holidays and summer vacations. Here her family felt her love for God and community. She always had quilts, needlepoint, crafts, caramel apples, pies, spaghetti, and her growing love for genealogy. Genealogy was her late-night friend during many sleepless nights. Puzzles also took their place on the kitchen table.

Cathy enjoyed people. She loved entertaining and cooking. She was always feeding the sick or neighbors. She enjoyed helping people with their small businesses. Making sure she was supportive to their endeavors.

Cathy and Fred enjoyed traveling. They loved the East Coast and visited all the light houses. Her favorite was Maine. For years they collected décor representing their travels. They served a mission for their church in 1994, in Detroit, Michigan. She continues to have close friends from that experience. 9

They were married 45 years.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Bloomington Stake Center located 200 West Brigham Road, St. George UT 84770. A visitation will be held Saturday, prior to services, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the Stake Center.

Interment will be at Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 South Dixie Drive, St George UT 84770.

Services will be livestreamed at the following link: Catherine Kruger Livestream