Catherine Fitzgerald

Catherine Margaret McManus was born November 19, 1920, in Fargo, ND, to Philip and Margaret (Dullea) McManus. She was raised in Dilworth, MN, where she graduated from high school in 1937.

Catherine received her nursing degree from Trinity Hospital School of Nursing, in Jamestown, ND, and then during World War II worked for a number of years as a Registered Nurse in hospitals in west coast states. She returned to Dilworth and worked at St. Ansgar Hospital, Moorhead, MN. Catherine also worked for other area hospitals and Cass County Public Health.

Catherine married Russell Fitzgerald on October 27, 1951, which was opening day of pheasant hunting season, therefore she spent many wedding anniversaries in the field. They made their home in Dilworth where they raised their five children. She was very active in her community and St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Dilworth. She was generous with her nursing skills and knowledge to friends and family.

In her early years, Catherine and Russ enjoyed dancing at local clubs and spending time with their friends. She was an avid seamstress and enjoyed her hobby of sewing for others.

After retirement, Catherine spent her summers on Big Cormorant Lake enjoying tending to her flower gardens, listening to the loons and sitting on the deck sharing stories and meals with her family and friends. She also enjoyed traveling with Russ to see her children in Seattle, Arizona and Minneapolis as well as trips to Ireland and Hawaii with brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Elayne, and family friends.

Catherine was born in the year women were granted the right to vote and passed on International Woman's Day, she spent her life inspiring us to be strong, independent and respectful of others.

Catherine died Thursday, March 8, 2018, in Serenity Assisted Living, Dilworth, at ninety-seven years of age.

The family would like to thank Hospice of the Red River Valley as well as the staff of Serenity Assisted Living for their kind and compassionate care to Catherine and her family.

Memorials are preferred to St. Elizabeth Catholic Church or Churches United for the Homeless, Moorhead. http://www.churches-united.org/ or http://www.stlizdilworth.org/

Catherine is survived by her husband, Russell, Dilworth; children, Maura Fitzgerald, Minneapolis, MN, Shannon Fitzgerald, Seattle, WA, Patrick Fitzgerald, Lake Park, MN, Erin Fitzgerald, Tempe, AZ, and Kerry Fitzgerald, Dilworth; and a brother, Robert (Elayne) McManus, Des Moines, WA.

She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Kathleen Mary; sister, Mary; and brothers, Bill, John, and Eugene.

Visitation will be Monday, March 12, 2018, from 5 - 7 PM, with a prayer service at 7 PM, in St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Dilworth.

Memorial Mass will be Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at 11 AM, in St. Elizabeth Catholic Church.