It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Catherine Diana Clevenger. Cathy, 78, bravely fought a five-year battle with cancer, but finally succumbed to the disease while surrounded by her husband Ralph and family on Saturday, December 19, 2020. Cathy was strong-willed and fought a courageous fight.
Catherine was born on June 19,1942 to Michael and Vera Kline, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
She met and married Marine Paul F. Tersteege and traveled with him to the designated bases until his untimely death on January 24,1969 in Vietnam. Cathy moved to California for a fresh start with 4 children in tow. She met her second husband and had her 5th child in California. The final move was to Carson City, Nevada. She met her third husband, Ralph Clevenger Jr.
(her rock) and were married for 42 blissful years until her untimely death.
Cathy worked for Carson Tahoe Hospital, Nevada Insurance Commission, State Industrial Insurance System in total of over 30 years of state service. Her last employment before retiring was Employers Insurance Company of Nevada. While working, she went to college
at night to further her career to better herself and her children’s lives. Her hobbies were growing orchids and roses, knitting baby blankets, scarves, hats, reading and recently painting on canvas.
Cathy is preceded in death by her parents, Vera and Michael Kline, her sister, Carol, her brother Wayne, her first husband SSgt. Paul F. Tersteege and her in-laws Ralph Sr. and Margriet Clevenger.
Cathy is survived by her husband, Ralph Clevenger, their 5 children: Debbie Atkinson (Rob), Paul C. Tersteege (Joan), Michael Tersteege, Cathy Dutton (Tom) and Patrick Frette (Carrianne). Her brother, James Kline (Margaret), their children Stephanie (Terry) and
Michael and in-laws Bill and Brenda Fleiner, their children and grandchildren.
Cathy is survived by 18 grandchildren: Robert Jr., Jason, Bryon, Scott, Stormie (Vinnie), Dylan (Marissa) Josh (Heather), Paul (Vanessa), Thomas, Zack (Larissa), Holly (Rick) Elyssa (Nick), Elizabeth, Jonathan, Weston, Isabella, Harrison and Chloe and 10 great grandchildren: Kaven, Nevaeh, Elijah, Lucas, Kaida, Ryo, Summer, Connor, Aspyn, and Christalynn.
She will truly be missed by her family, extended family and friends.
We would like to thank Kindred at Home for their support and loving care in the last few months of Cathy’s life.
“I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one. I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.”