Catherine R. "Cathy" Schutz

Catherine “Cathy” Rae (Kortum) Schutz March 15, 1951 – August 13, 2025 Cathy Schutz, 74, of Wakefield, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 13, 2025, at Apple Rehab Facility in Westerly, after a long battle with cancer. Memorial service will be held on Friday August 22, 2025 at 12:30 p.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City, with interment in Chapman Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family for future designation. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com. Cathy was born March 15, 1951, at Litzenberg Hospital in Central City, Nebraska, to Jim and Margaret (Collingwood) Kortum. She grew up on the family farm north of Hordville and graduated from Hordville High School. Over the years, she lived in Hordville, St. Libory, Central City, and Plainview, before moving to Rhode Island in 2019 to be with her daughter Becky. She also spent time living in Hawaii and traveled extensively throughout the United States, even as far as Guam—experiences she cherished and often spoke of with joy. On February 13, 1972, Cathy married the late Bill Schutz. Together they shared many years before parting ways in 1989. From this union, Cathy was blessed with four children: bonus daughter Cheri Fernandez of Desert Hot Springs, CA; son Bill (Becky) Schutz of St. Paul, NE; daughter Becky (Chris) Bender of South Kingstown, RI; and daughter Maggie Johnston of Yankton, SD. Cathy also welcomed many of her children’s friends as her own, extending her love and “Mom” title far and wide. Cathy was a hard worker throughout her life, with roles that included helping on the farm, working as a CNA, EMT, dispatcher, and lab technician. But her greatest joy was in the simple, meaningful things: cooking meals for her family, crocheting gifts made with love, and spending time outdoors. She was a devoted Husker football fan and even had a brief moment on the big screen as a bartender in the movie Nebraska. Above all, her happiest role was being “Grandma Cathy” to her grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and the many friends’ children who adored her. Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Cheri Fernandez, Bill (Becky) Schutz, Becky (Chris) Bender, and Maggie Johnston; her sister Carolyn (Bob) Driewer; sister-in-law Julie Schank; close friend and former sister-in-law Betty Swanson; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Margaret (Collingwood) Kortum; brothers Russ and Robert Kortum; infant brother James Kortum; granddaughters Sandra Ochoa and Madison Johnston; and great-niece and nephew, Logan and Elizabeth Klute. Cathy will be remembered for her laughter, her kindness, and the way she made everyone feel like family. Whether cheering on the Huskers, cooking a meal big enough to feed a crowd, crocheting a blanket to keep someone warm, or sitting outside swapping stories, she gave freely of her love and time. Her spirit lives on in the countless lives she touched.

Catherine R. "Cathy" Schutz

March 15, 1951 - August 13, 2025