The Cottingham family moved to Elgin, Texas when Catherine was four years old. She graduated from Elgin High School in 1951. After graduation, Catherine moved to Austin, Texas and attended Durham Clay Business College. She then worked for Lumberman Investment Corporation. She met Oscar Richter in 1955 and they were married on May 26, 1957 at First English Lutheran Church in Austin.
Oscar and Catherine had two children, Jan and Charles, both born in Austin. The family moved to Kingsland, Texas in 1974. Catherine was a homemaker from 1963 to 1982. She later worked for the Llano Credit Bureau, Llano Memorial Hospital and the Llano District Clerk during the years 1982 to 1995. After retiring, Oscar and Catherine moved to Marble Falls in 2001.
Catherine is predeceased by her father, Anthony Beauford Cottingham and her mother, Alice King Cottingham, as well as her brother, John Charles Cottingham and her sister Mary Cottingham Young.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Oscar, Marble Falls, her daughter, Jan Hopson and husband William, Horseshoe Bay, her son, Charles Richter, Austin, and her sisters June Evans, Austin, Alice Thoene, Austin, and Virginia Monson, Pflugerville, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Choir Fund of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Marble Falls, the Alzheimer’s Association or any charity supporting animals.
