Memorials › Catherine Ann Hussman Karnowski

Catherine Ann Hussman Karnowski

19 Jul 1924 – 1 May 2008

Birth19 Jul 1924
Death1 May 2008
CemeteryMorris Hill Cemetery
Boise , Ada County , Idaho , USA
Added byBLNF on 11 Dec 2021
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51750809

Bio

Catherine Ann Karnowski was surrounded by her children at home when she left this world on Thursday, May 1, 2008. She was the sixth of eight children born to William B. and Anna E. Hussman. Born July 19, 1924, in Cottonwood, Catherine was proud of being a direct descendant of Idaho pioneers Barney and Gertrude Forsmann Luchtefeld. Barney's family immigrated from Illinois in 1886. They settled on land that contains St. Gertrude's Monastery west of Cottonwood. The following spring, a sawmill was erected near the foot of Cottonwood Butte by J.B. Forsmann and Henry Kuther. It is this sawmill that eventually became the Hussman Lumber Co. that Catherine's parents owned and operated until 1937. Mom always talked about picking huckleberries near Cottonwood and the annual trips to Red River Hot Springs for everyone's health. Catherine (Katie) was 12 when her family moved to Boise. She attended St. Teresa's Academy and graduated from Boise High. She graduated as a registered nurse from Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City. Mom met the "kindest and gentlest man," Albert B. Karnowski, whom she married in Boise on Oct. 21, 1947. While raising four children, she worked as an RN at the Boise hospitals and also as a private duty nurse. Mom spent several years at the Veterans Hospital until she retired in 1973 to care for Dad at home until he died in 1989. Throughout her whole life, Mom was always caring for someone. She assisted her mother in her sister Gertrude's care, and her own parents in their later years. She offered her home to her grandchildren, and others who needed her, even while tending to Dad. Mom had an acute moral sense of responsibility toward all of her family members and supported them even when disagreements arose. Mom was the legendary force behind large family dinners, whether they be for holidays, birthdays or other special occasions. She would not rest until everyone had been served. When complimented on the fine quality of the food, she would always say: "It was just a simple meal." At backyard dinner parties, she would host as many as 30 to 50 people. Catherine loved playing table tennis and she taught most of her grandchildren to play well. No one could beat her until the last couple of years. She played pinochle and also passed that skill on to some of the grandchildren. Her favorite pastimes were reading detective novels and the daily paper, watching Boise State Broncos football, World Series baseball, "Jeopardy," the news and Jay Leno. She also enjoyed watching old-time movies with her son, Chris, who tended to her in her later years. Survivors include her children, Albert (and Cheryl), Barbara, Christopher, all of Boise, Kay (and Mike) Kirkpatrick of Orofino; her sister, Betty DuBois of Boise; and brother, William P. (and Carolynn) Hussman of Tucson, Ariz.; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Leona, Gertrude and Margaret; brothers, Bernard and John. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24, at St. John's Cathedral, Boise. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Friday, May 23, at Summers Funeral Homes, 1205 W. Bannock St., Boise. Interment will follow at a later date at Morris Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Holy Cross Roof Fund, St. Mary's Parish, P.O. Box 425, Cottonwood, ID 83522. Lewiston Tribune 05.18.2008

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