Cathie Anne Keyser

There will be a memorial service on Friday, March 15, from 2-3pm, at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home. Cathie’s nephew Dan Van Gorp will officiate. A reception will follow directly after the service from 3-5pm. The service will be available to live stream at the following link for those unable to physically attend:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557265922622

Cathie was born on January 1, 1955 to Frank and Ruth (Plender) Van Der Maaten. She grew up on a farm near Orange City, Iowa, with her parents and five siblings. Some of her favorite memories of growing up included working at the drive-in with her mom, making mud pies with her siblings, and being a role model for her nieces and nephews. She was a beloved member of her community and was elected MOC High School homecoming queen and Orange City Tulip Queen.

She attended St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Sioux City, Iowa, and had a robust 45-years-long nursing career where she shared her kind and nurturing gifts with countless patients.

Cathie grew up 20 miles away from Bob Keyser, and they finally met in 1977 after he spotted her at a basketball game and decided he had to give her a call. They married on May 19, 1979. Before growing their family, Bob and Cathie lived in Fort Collins, Colorado, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. They enjoyed entertaining family and friends in their home and spending quality time together – often over a glass of wine.

Cathie often said that her favorite part of her life was being a mom to her three kids, Katie, Megan, and Thomas. She was an unconditionally loving, affectionate, and supportive mom. She taught her family empathy, compassion, strength, and how to have a sense of humor about life. She never missed an opportunity to say “I love you,” and she never gave her kids the idea they couldn’t be whatever they wanted to be. She gave the warmest hugs.

Her extended family and her many friends were also fortunate to experience her generosity, love, loyalty, and quick-wittedness. She loved hosting and always welcomed friends and family into her home with warmth and delicious food. Her annual Christmas parties were the highlight of the holiday season for many.

She had an energetic and creative spirit, and loved to garden, cook and bake, decorate her home down to the smallest details, and hunt for antiques – and a good deal. She also enjoyed lunches downtown with her daughters and long conversations with friends over a glass of wine.

Survivors include her husband of nearly 45 years, Bob; daughters Megan and Katie; siblings Dennis Van Der Maaten, Audrey (Jim) Van Gorp, Randy (Karen) Van Der Maaten, Deb Ver Steeg, and Andy (Karen) Van Der Maaten; brother-in-law Dick (Blanche) Keyser and sister-in-law Joni (Mark) Kraayenbrink; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her cherished son, Thomas; her parents Frank and Ruth; her in-laws Alvin and Jean Keyser; and sisters-in-law Laurie Keyser and Vera Van Der Maaten.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Thomas Robert Keyser Memorial Scholarship Fund at Northwestern College or Texas Children’s Hospital.