Catherine Mundt

Catherine Louise Mundt (née Sulzbach), age 93, left her earthly home surrounded by her family on February 2, 2022, in Duluth, Minnesota.

Cathy was born November 11,1928, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grew up in the Lake Harriet area of Minneapolis with walks to the Lake, summer ball games, Camp Fire Girls with archery as her favorite, trolley car rides to the malt shop, music at the bandshell, speed-skating races, playing with her brothers, her dog and a new doll named Armisticia given each year for her Veteran’s Day birthday. Cathy graduated from Southwest High School in January 1947 and went to the University of MN where she majored in and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in 1951. She married Daniel Mundt in March 1951, and began her teaching career, while helping put Dan through law school. She taught 4th graders, whom she always said were the best age to teach because they were independent enough to do things by themselves but still very curious to learn more!

Upon Dan’s graduation in 1954, they moved to Duluth, MN, where they would make their home together until his death in 2019. She lived at Mount Royal Pines 3 and Benedictine Community-Marywood in her last years of life, still in Duluth MN.

Over the years, Cathy’s focus became raising their five children, running the busy household from cooking amazing meals, keeping everyone organized and serving as a leader at church and in the community. Cathy was genuinely interested in children all her life and went back to substitute teaching as her children left home. She volunteered at Glen Avon Presbyterian Church where she was a lifelong member, and served as Christian Education superintendent for many years, Women’s’ Association president and Circle leader, a Deacon and an Elder. Cathy was extremely proud of her family and gathered photo albums of the many children’s’ activities, parties, time spent at the WI cabin, travels in the family camper throughout the United States and cataloged all trips in detailed journals and annual Christmas poem letters. She had beautiful handwriting and spent hours sending cards to friends and family. Cathy always made special themed birthday cakes.  Her Christmas-cookie baking was renowned as well as the traditional open house where at least 20 different kinds of cookies, bars and the trademark fruitcake were served to neighbors, friends, and family over many years. Cathy’s joy was spending many hours with her grandchildren from the time they were babies through their adult lives, and as the great grandchildren came along, she treasured their artwork and photos. Cathy loved a good shopping trip, lunch out with the ladies, and always had time to talk with her children about their many experiences.

Cathy was a consummate decorator; every room in the house was filled with decor for each holiday and she loved collecting bears, Hummels, Hallmark ornaments and unique baskets and bowls.

Cathy is preceded in death by her husband, Daniel; her parents, Louise and Manuel, her brother, Charles; brothers-in-law, John, and Fred; sisters-in-law, Dorothy and Joan.

She is survived by her children Mary Lou (Tony) Tarvers, Daniel Mundt, Jr, Martha (Murphy) Haessly, David Mundt, Sarah (Kurt) Zarbock, grandchildren Brandon (Becky) Tarvers, Carolyn (Ryan) Armstrong, Amy (Hank) Thompson, Laura (Josh Welliver) Oltz, Christopher (Emily) Zarbock, Scott Mundt, Ashley (Travis) Hess and Katie Zarbock,  great-grandchildren Blais, Breckon, and Arabella Tarvers, Liam and Logan Blais: William, Michal, George and Violet Thompson; Brody Oltz, Lyla and Robert Ritsche, brother William Sulzbach, niece Lisa Berndt, nephew Jeff (Patty) Sulzbach, great-nephews Zach and Luke Sulzbach; and nephew Chad Sulzbach. She also is survived by nieces and nephews on her deceased husband’s side of the family.

Memorials may be made to Glen Avon Presbyterian Church- Christian Education Department, 2105 Woodland Ave, Duluth MN 55803, or the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation Late Bloomers Scholarship Fund, 324 W Superior St., #700, Duluth, MN 55802.

Visitation will be held at Dougherty Funeral Home on Friday, February 25th from 6-8pm. 600 E. 2nd St. Duluth, MN 55805.  Funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 26th at 1:30pm at Glen Avon Presbyterian Church, 2105 Woodland Ave, Duluth, MN 55803. Masks required for all gatherings. Vaccinations are highly suggested. Streaming will be available for those who cannot attend in person.  A celebration of Cathy’s life will be held in the Spring with a burial at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.