Catherine Pretts

Catherine D. Weis Pretts, 100, died Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at the Pioneer Care Center in Fergus Falls, MN of Guillain-Barre. She was born March 17, 1912, in Bemidji, MN to Jacob and Katherine (Roeder) Weis. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Bemidji. Catherine loved Bemidji and her family, and enjoyed telling stories of her youth. On November 9, 1938, she married Bernie Pretts. They had one daughter, Judith Kay. They lived in a log house near Lake Bemidji until 1948 when they moved to Fergus Falls. They were members of The First United Church of Christ. Catherine spent 45 years as a cosmetologist, loving every minute of it, and making wonderful friends. She was also a homemaker where the coffee was always on and rolls were in the oven for the many people who stopped to visit. Catherine helped many family and friends in her lifetime. She loved gardening, where she spent her early morning summer hours, or you could find her picking chokecherries at Lake George. She enjoyed knitting, quilting, sewing and cooking for her family, and in the fall, cooking for weekend hunting parties. She liked golfing and joined Bernie on the golf course in Fergus, Bemidji, or Black Duck often. Another love was dancing, and she would go to a dance whenever she could. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband Bernie; her brothers Matt, Harry, Joseph, Jake, Ben, and Charlie, and her sister, Susan Anderson. She is survived by her daughter Judy (Frank) Jacobs of Fergus Falls; granddaughters Bethany Henkes of Fergus Falls and Sue Jacobs of Abilene, TX; grandsons Todd Jacobs and Jeffrey Jacobs of Fergus Falls; great-grandchildren Alexus Jacobs, Kayla (Andy Gentz) Henkes, Mariah and Alex Sigfrid, and great-great grandchildren Keagan and Jasmine Niessen, Ava and Madison Gentz; her sister, Margaret Wayne of Bemidji; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. A graveside service will be held at a later date. Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com