Obituary of Catherine Hotvedt

Catherine Julie Rutten passed away at home in Plymouth MN. on 12-16-2023

Cathy was born on Sep 13, 1934 in Perham MN to Katherine Dykhoff and Joseph Rutten. She was baptized at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Butler MN. She attended school at District 263 west of Butler MN where she grew up, and St Francis High School in Little Falls MN graduating in 1951. She was affectionately called “toots” by family.

Cathy married Merlyn V Hotvedt at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria MN on May 5, 1956.

The Hotvedt family moved with Merlyn’s job with SJ Groves Construction Co. and lived in several places. Alexandria MN, Maryville IL, Minneapolis MN, Carlyle IL, Shelbyville IL, Glencoe MN, and Lake Elmo MN, before Cathy and Merlyn settled down in Plymouth MN in 1981 for the rest of their life.

Cathy was employed by the Credit Bureau and County Clerks office in Alexandria during her time there. She managed the household through her children’s high school graduations and went to work in the business office of Crossroads Ford where Merlyn was the general manager, until the dealership was dissolved by its parent company, SJ Groves.

Cathy is remembered as an active person with varied interests. She played on a softball team during her time in Illinois. She loved bowling, was a voracious reader, and enjoyed crocheting, crosswords, cards, gardening, animals and keeping up with relatives and friends on the computer. She appeared as a contestant on the Twin Cities TV game show Bowling for Dollars in the 1980’s where she won an electric snow shovel. She is also well remembered as very talented on the Yamaha organ.

She is survived by her husband Merlyn and children: Steve (Joanne), Roxanne, and Pamela(Todd), 9 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.

Cathy was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Evelyn Boogaard and Rosella Boogaard, and 4 brothers, Charles Rutten, Clarence Rutten, Albert Rutten, and Lester Rutten.