SOUTH HUTCHINSON - M. Catherine Showalter, 90, of Mennonite Manor, South Hutchinson, died Oct. 15, 2006, at Hutchinson Hospital.

She was born June 19, 1916, in rural Partridge, the daughter of Walter John and Laura Mae Crouse Miller. She graduated from Partridge rural high school in 1935 and attended Kansas State University. A lifelong resident of Reno County, she was a homemaker and retired employee of South Central Kansas Library Association.

She belonged to Community Church of the Brethren, Hutchinson, member of T.O.P.S., Reno County EHU, a volunteer for Boy and Girl Scouts, charter member and past officer of the National Campers and Hikers Association and member and past officer of Airstream Club.

On June 8, 1941, she married Paul M. Showalter in Chanute. He survives.

Other survivors include: two sons, Calvin and wife, Susan, Albert, and James and wife, Bobbi, Topeka; two daughters, Barbara Watkins and husband, Steven, Topeka, and Paula Hinshaw and husband, Rex, Jefferson City, Mo.; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Miller Haskard.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Community Church of the Brethren, 16th and Severance, Hutchinson, with Marlo Oltman and Ed Switzer presiding. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the mortuary. Burial will be in Partridge Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to the church, in care of the mortuary, 1219 North Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. Personal condolences may be sent to www.elliottmortuary.com.