Eldeen M. Cattau

Eldeen Mernae (Einspahr) Cattau, age 93, completed her earthly journey on August 1, 2026. She was born, at home, on February 12, 1933, in Juniata, NE — the third of four children. Her life was faithfully devoted to her husband, family, serving the Lord, people, and the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS).

Eldeen was baptized by her grandpa, Rev. Arthur Wilk, and confirmed by her uncle, Rev. Reinert Einspahr. She attended Holyoke grade schools and high school. While attending Concordia College in Seward, NE, Eldeen met Rollin C. Cattau. He noticed the cute blonde in the orange skirt. They dated, and after a year of her teaching in Alva, OK, were married on July 25, 1954, in Holyoke, CO. Their union of over 70 years was marked by deep dedication and commitment. Eldeen thrived in her role as wife, homemaker, helpmeet, mom, and grandma.

Together, Rollin and Eldeen served numerous Lutheran congregations in Akron, OH; West Point, NE; Topeka, KS; Los Angeles, CA; Whittier, CA; Denver, CO; Fort Dodge, IA; Waco, TX; Amarillo, TX, and finally the Houston, TX, area, where they spent the last 35 years. She packed and relocated over seventeen times in their lifetime.

Eldeen earned a two-year Teacher Degree from Concordia-Seward. She taught and substituted in classrooms in OH, NE, KS, CA and CO. She embraced her confirmation verse: “LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, the place where thine honour dwelleth.” Psalm‬ ‭26‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV‬. She faithfully served the Lord with gladness as a choir member, with Pew Pockets, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), Ladies Circle, gathering Mites for Missions, collecting thousands of pop tops for the Ronald McDonald House, and saving Stamps for Missions. ‬‬‬

She was a diligent page-turner for her husband while he played the organ, and made sure that he had a hot breakfast prepared every morning and a freshly hand-washed and ironed shirt every day. She supported her husband’s church work with her hands and her time. She and Rollin cruised their neighborhood dutifully every Tuesday on ‘patrol duty’.

Outside of taking care of her husband and serving others, Deenie enjoyed pulling weeds and mowing their lawn, reading and cutting out articles from the newspaper, and faithfully sending cards and type-written messages to friends and family. She was a fan of Dairy Queen, Blue Bell ice cream, and the Houston Astros. For years, she woke up before dawn, to place her Houston neighbors’ newspapers on their doorstep. Eldeen was a good listener, loyal friend, and always had kind things to say about others.

Her grandchildren fondly remember her enthusiastic cheering at their games and swim meets, tasty casseroles, playing games and cards, root beer floats, rice krispy treats, and Grandma being able to get any stain out of their uniforms or clothing. She consistently wrapped their favorite box of cereal as one of their birthday gifts. She was a devoted supporter of all her grandchildren, rarely missing a sporting event, choir concert, graduation, or wedding. Grandma lovingly did bedtime prayers, songs, and ‘angel wings’ with her eleven grandchildren when they were in her watchful care. She was known to remind her grandchildren that she was praying for “each of us…by name.”

Eldeen was preceded in death by her husband, Rollin C. Cattau in June 2025; her parents Arthur & Theadora (Wilk) Einspahr; brother Rev. Robert Einspahr; sister LouAnn Lauer; her son-in-law Eric Zieschang; granddaughter Marissa Zieschang; and her third child, a stillborn son.

Eldeen is survived by her sister Mrs. Edward Jenner (Gloria) Johnson; her son Mark (Marcie) Cattau; grandchildren: Michael (Bess), Matthew, Michelle (Christopher); and great-grandchildren: Emma Kate, June, Thaddeus, and Raelyn. She is also survived by her daughter Mary Zieschang Schulze (Danny Schulze); grandchildren: Erika (Jason), Evan (Celina), Blake (Rachel), Derek (Emily), Hannah (Bryan), Austin, Krista (Garrett), and Lauren (Garrett); and great-grandchildren: Beckett, Judah, Vivienne, Luke, Soren, Emma, Ava, Isaiah, Sloane, Hosanna, Eleanor, Cooper, Eames, Erik, Florence, George, Eden, Evren, Charlotte, Cassius, Lewis and Jane, with a great-grandchild due in spring 2027. Aunt Deenie was dearly loved by her nieces, nephews, and godchildren.

Throughout her memory loss journey over the past twenty years, she kept her gentle spirit and grateful outlook. She will be remembered for her sweet smile and genuine “thank you’s” she daily voiced to the caregivers in the facilities she lived in for the past almost seven years. The family extends their heartfelt thanks to those who went out of their way to care for Mrs. Eldeen with dignity, compassion, and respect.

Eldeen will be remembered for her joyful legacy of faith, family, diligence, service, and kindness. She put her heart and soul into everything she did.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Trinity Downtown, 800 Houston Avenue, Houston, TX 77007

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to:

Concordia University – 800 N. Columbia Ave., Seward, NE 68434

Or

Lutherans for Life – 1101 5th Street, Nevada, IA 50201-1816

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