Cathy Diane Nolte, 72, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on June 13, 2023 after a battle with Lewy Body Dementia. She peacefully passed away in the comforts of home lovingly surrounded by family.

Cathy was born on December 1, 1950 to John and Diane Carlson in Elmhurst, IL. She was the oldest of six siblings whom she loved dearly. She graduated from Glenbard East High School in 1968 where she enjoyed the pom team, baton team, and tennis. She attended Lombard Bible Church where she was actively involved in the youth group and church choir.

Cathy met her husband, Bill, while participating on the swim team together at the local park district. This park would be the same place Bill proposed to her nearly a decade later. They were married on May 20, 1972, and soon made Carol Stream their home for 28 years before moving to Elgin to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Cathy's most joyous and rewarding job was being a mother to their two children, Rob and Tracy. Her children remember her as sacrificial, loving, wise and present. She absolutely delighted in being "Grammy" to her eight precious grandchildren who were her greatest joys, and she prayed for her family faithfully her whole life.

Cathy lived a life of service. It was her deep desire that the person of Jesus would be made real to others through her words and deeds. You could always find Cathy volunteering in her children's schools and at church, evidencing her love of ministry. Her creativity and talent for planning events coupled with her nurturing spirit and love for others could be seen in her roles as Sunday school teacher, church youth leader, girl scout leader, and her in-home-day care.

Cathy worked at Wheaton Academy from 1989-1996 as secretary to the headmaster. She enjoyed her work, encouraged and invested in many young teachers and students, and built many lifelong friendships. She went on to work at Wheaton College for the next 25 years serving as manager in the Office of Christian Outreach. Her role included organizing, planning trips, and helping equip students for missions as they would share the gospel in local communities and around the world. College students reflected that entering the office and seeing Cathy's joyful smile was often the best part of their day. They also loved when she would call out "candy time" and begin throwing chocolates and candy to the students around the office. It was during her years here that she mentored numerous young women with her compassion and wisdom and was a "mom" away from home to so many young people.

Hospitality was one of Cathy's greatest gifts. She had an incredible love for people and greeted you with warmth; you always felt heard, seen, and valued after spending any time with her. She loved throwing the most creative birthday parties for her children, hosting large family gatherings and making life fun! She was an excellent cook and baker whose freshly baked treats were stored above the fridge, always at the ready for unexpected guests. Yet it wasn't her gifts or special guest treatment that friends and family recall best, it was Cathy's genuine interest in each person. If you were in her presence, you had her full attention, and it was nearly impossible to leave without being refreshed by a word of encouragement.

Her dedication to others was rooted in faith and modeled on Jesus' example of compassion, sacrificial love, and grace. In all that she did, her heart's desire was to point others to the Lord.

She is survived and will be deeply missed by her husband of 51 years, William "Bill", their children, Rob (Christy) Nolte and Tracy (Nate) Danielson; eight grandchildren, Matthew, Andrew, Emma, Grace, Olivia, Aubrey, Juliet and Claire; mother Diane Carlson, siblings Eileen (Jerry) Fina, John (Mary) Carlson, Carrie (Dave) McKee, Gail (Dave) Haugen, and Billy (Kim) Carlson, siblings in law, Diana Nolte, Kathy (George) Fram, Don (Patti) Nolte, Tom (Colleen) Nolte, Rick (Debbie) Nolte. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends whom she dearly loved.

She is preceded in death by her father John Carlson, mother-in-law Helen Nolte, father-in-law Harry Nolte, brother-in-law Jerry Nolte, niece Jennifer Ohlinger and grandnephew Hudson Ohlinger.

Celebration of life service will be held at Christ Community Church at 820 Randall Rd, South Elgin, IL on Sunday, June 25th with visitation at 3pm and service at 4pm.

A burial for close family will be held on Monday June 26th at 12pm.