Catherine "Katie" Lavonne Galing

Catherine “Katie” Galing age 66 of Alta Vista, IA, died Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Accura Healthcare of New Hampton.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Elma with Rev. Telesphore Dusabe officiating. Interment will be held in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Alta Vista.

Friends may greet the family from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Elma. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Wednesday.

Catherine Lavonne Galing, known affectionately as Katie to her friends and family, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2025, in New Hampton, Iowa. Born on February 11, 1959, in Osage, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Ruby (Simons) Galing.  Katie was a beacon of love and gentleness throughout her 66 years of life.

Katie grew up in a close-knit family and was a proud graduate of New Hampton High School in 1977. After graduation, she dedicated her early years to working on the Galing family farm, where she honed her strong work ethic and love for the land. At the age of 28, she transitioned to a new role, working the third shift at Colonial Manor in Elma, where she remained a dedicated employee for 37 years. Katie’s commitment to her work was a testament to her caring nature and her desire to support those around her.

A woman of many passions, Katie found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She had a talent for crocheting, creating beautiful pieces that she lovingly shared with her family and friends. An avid bowler, Katie enjoyed the camaraderie and friendly competition of the lanes. She cherished the time spent with loved ones and could often be surrounded by those she held dear, her gentle laughter filling the room.

In her quieter moments, Katie was fond of scrolling through TikTok, amused by the creativity and humor she found there. The platform brought a modern twist to her leisure time and provided endless entertainment.

Katie is remembered as a loving, passionate, and gentle soul. Her kindness touched the lives of many, and her presence was a comforting force to those fortunate enough to know her.

Katie’s story is one of unwavering love, a genuine passion for life, and a gentleness that soothed all who knew her. As we bid farewell to this remarkable woman, we celebrate the beauty she brought into the world and the immeasurable impact she made on those around her.

Katie’s legacy lives on through her cherished family. She is survived by her sister, Joann (Steve) Schuety of St. Olaf, IA; brothers Dale Galing of Alta Vista, IA, and David Galing of Cedar Rapids, IA; her adored nephew, Austin (Lexie) Schuety; and niece, Autumn (Zachary Radloff) Schuety. Katie also leaves behind three great-nephews, William Schuety, Hudson Radloff, and Lawson Radloff, who will miss her deeply.

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, her brother Willard Galing, her sister Theresa Galing, and her great-niece Gracelynn Radloff. Katie’s memory will be held in the hearts of those she leaves behind, a testament to the bonds she forged and the lives she touched.