Catherine Middlekauff Sloth

This brick is proudly dedicated to Catherine Laura Middlekauff Sloth in celebration of her successes in life, most importantly as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and daughter. But also it is dedicated for her efforts as a business partner and community support member. Catherine is the first daughter of Ruth and I. B. Middlekauff, born April 11, 1924. She grew up in New Hartford, Iowa where her parents operated a variety of services businesses. After graduating from New Hartford High School in 1941, she attended Dickinson's Secretarial School in Waterloo, Iowa. She moved briefly to California for secretarial work but returned to the Waterloo area, taking a job at the bean plant in Dike, Iowa.

She married Gordon Sloth on February 8th of 1947 and joined him in work at Dike Hardware as the bookkeeper of the store he had recently purchased from her parents. Together they provided plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning service to the Grundy and Black Hawk County area, while operating a cattle, hog, and grain farm northeast of Dike.

Catherine and Gordon raised four children who graduated from Dike high School: Dennis (married to Deborah Kopriva in 1975; University of Northern Iowa, BS 1986), Darrell (Iowa State University, BA 1978; MS, 1980), Linda (Iowa State University, BA 1979; University of Northern Iowa teaching certification 1988), and Nancy (married to Mike Edwards 1989; University of Northern Iowa, BA 1982; California State San Bernadino, MA 1991).

In the Dike community she is an active member of Fredsville Lutheran Church, serves on committees of the Dike Community Betterment Association and has presided over the American Legion Auxiliary and Danish Sisterhood.

Catherine is currently enjoying her retirement after 47 years in the hardware/plumbing service business. Traveling with her husband is a favorite pastime for Catherine, along with spending time with grandchildren Ryan, Conni, and Christopher.

Submitted on 5/19/94