Catherine H. Anderson, age 97, of Harlan, Iowa (formerly of Mapleton and Ute, Iowa) passed away on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at Elm Crest Senior Living Community in Harlan, Iowa.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 2, 2026, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mapleton, Iowa. Father William A. McCarthy will officiate. Committal services will follow in the St. Clair Township Cemetery in Ute, Iowa.
A Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Mary’s Catholic Church in Mapleton, Iowa.
The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Homes of Mapleton and Ute, Iowa, are in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com
Catherine Helen Anderson, the daughter of Daniel and Lucy (Fitzsimmons) Dixon, was born on May 3, 1928, in Neola, Iowa. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from Beebeetown High School with the class of 1946.
On November 4, 1948, Catherine was united in marriage to Howard D. Anderson at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ute, Iowa. The couple began their married life in Soldier, Iowa, before later farming near Ute. Together, Catherine and Howard were blessed with ten children: Beverly, Edward, Judith, Ardith, Patricia, James, Theresa, William, Mary, and Thomas. Their marriage spanned 65 years, until Howard’s passing in 2014.
Catherine was employed for several years in the elementary cafeteria at the Charter Oak–Ute Schools. She was a devoted member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ute and later St. Mary’s in Mapleton, Iowa. Above all else, Catherine cherished her large family, whose love and presence meant everything to her. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.
Left to cherish her memory include her children Beverly Warner of Cleveland, TX, Patricia Anderson of Omaha, NE, James (Sue) Anderson of Omaha, NE, William (Nancy) Anderson of Lewisville, TX, Mary (Richard) Freml of Harlan, IA and Thomas (Paula) Anderson of Strasburg, CO; son-in-law Kirk (Deb) Schatzle of Cedar Rapids, IA; 19 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Howard; children Edward Anderson, Judith Milone, Ardith Morello, and Theresa Anderson; daughter-in-law Rose Anderson, sons-in-law Gerry Warner and Tony Milone; siblings Robert, Josephine, Cecilia, Margaret, and Frances; as well as many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Previous Events
Visitation
1
Feb
201 N 8th Street
Mapleton, IA 51034
Rosary at 4:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial
2
Feb
201 N 8th Street
Mapleton, IA 51034
Cemetery Details
Location
Ute, IA
