Catherine Ann York, 67, Green Valley, Ariz.

Published 10:20 am Monday, March 18, 2013

Catherine Ann (Berg) York, 67, of Green Valley, Ariz., formerly of Austin, Minn., passed away Friday, March 15, 2013, at The Methodist Hospital, Rochester, Minn., surrounded by her family and her best friend following a courageous battle against a rare Ovarian Cancer.

Catherine York

Cathy “Muffy” was born to Mary (McAleer) and Arnold Berg Jan. 27, 1946, at St. Olaf Hospital in Austin, Minn.

She attended grade school in Austin and graduated from Austin High School in June 1964. After high school, she attended the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and earned a bachelor of science degree in business.

During her lifetime she held various jobs, first working at the Hormel corporate offices from 1964 to 1971. After that, she was a daycare provider from 1978 to 1983 and a Cub Scout leader. She then worked as a sales representative for Apple Computers, then for Dell Computer Company. In the late 90s, Cathy began a career in real estate until her diagnosis of cancer in June 2012. She worked in real estate in the Tucson-Green Valley area. During her career in real estate she won various awards and was a member of the “Million Dollar Club.”

In February 1991, Cathy married Terry York in Rochester, Minn. They lived in Rochester while Terry worked for IBM. During their marriage they lived in Minnesota, Texas and eventually retired in Green Valley.

Cathy enjoyed and loved to wear hats. She loved to go to the movies, golf, rollerblade, ride bike, play tennis, racquetball and other activities with her grandchildren as well as going to their sporting events. She was an avid runner and participated in marathons. A personal fitness trainer, lifted weights, taught Tai Chi classes and Pilates. Cathy was also very active in her church (Unity in the Valley) and was president from 2009 to 2013. She was the president of the Women’s Council of Realtors from 2002 to 2003 and president of the GVS Association of Realtors.

She is survived by her loving husband Terry York; five children, Robert (Linda) Lane, Winthrop, Minn., Mary (Rod) Miller, Austin, Joel (Teri) Johnson, Austin, Scott York, Portland, Ore., Kevin York, Portland; nine grandchildren, Cole (Mary) Lane, Michael Lane, Amanda (Jamie) Lane, Marissa (Jerry) Lane, Megan Lane, Mitchell Miller, Tanner Johnson, Cameron Johnson, Noah Miller, four great-grandchildren, Jack Thoreson, Jaquan Sanders, Leland Lane, Audrie Hoeting; two brothers, Arnold/ Sonny (Cathy) Berg, Prior Lake, Minn.; Ric (Toni) Berg, Austin; best friend of many years, Lori Dozark, Rochester; two sisters-in-law, Sue Martinez, Santa Ana, Calif., Kathleen (Dennis) Zager, Fountain Valley, Calif.; and nieces, nephews, cousins and aunt.

Cat was preceded in death by her parents, great-Niece Isabelle, brother-in-law Tony Martinez, aunts and uncles.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 21, 2013, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with the Rev. Phil Farmo officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Mayer Funeral Home and also one hour before the service at the church on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, Cathy would like memorials to The Unity in The Valley Church, Sahuarita Arizon towards their mortgage reduction.