Dear Classes of 1962, 1968, 1970, & 1973-2009:

This is a Deacon Alert to inform you of the passing of Cathy (Rutten) Schwinden ('68) on Friday, Jan. 3rd.

Cathy was a member of the Class of 1968, the sister of Tom Rutten ('70), the wife of Morrie Schwinden ('62), the mother of Sarah (Schwinden) Walters ('96), Lisa Schwinden ('98), Chris Schwinden ('01), and a dedicated educator for Shanley and the Catholic schools for 36 years. 

Obituary:

Cathy Schwinden passed away on Friday, January 3, 2025 at St. Catherine’s North surrounded by her family.

Catherine Diane Rutten was born on June 22,1950, to Vince and Elizabeth Rutten in Fargo, ND. While attending St. Anthony’s and Shanley High School she was taught and nurtured by the Presentation Sisters and Christian Brothers. Their role in her development would inspire her life journey. Her academic talents, as a National Merit Scholar, set the foundation for Cathy’s success as an educator who would, in turn, inspire her own future students.

Her Catholic studies continued when she moved to St. Paul, MN, to attend the College of St. Catherine’s, majoring in French and History. Upon graduation, Cathy returned to Shanley to begin her teaching career.

She met Morrie Schwinden at Mickelson softball field thanks to their mutual friends, Butch and Gayle Cummings. They were married in July, 1973, in Fargo. For many years, Cathy kept the scorebook and Morrie pitched.

In 1981 she earned her Masters in Education Administration from NDSU.

Her passion and commitment to Catholic education flourished during her 36 years at Shanley. There, she taught History, Western Civilization, Religion, French, and Social Concerns, a class she created with Sister Jane Walker, PBVM, and acted as Assistant Principal. She also taught at St. Anthony’s Middle School and served as Principal at Holy Spirit Elementary. Generous with her time outside the classroom, Cathy gave her talents to French Club, the First Nighter Committee, Shanley Grow, and as cheerleading advisor and an active Shanley sports fan.

Cathy made Catholic education a family value. She took great pride in having taught all three of her children at Shanley and she inspired their decisions to attend Catholic universities—Sarah and Chris earned undergraduate degrees from The University of Notre Dame and Lisa, from The University of Portland.

In 2009, Cathy continued to live her Catholic mission by serving as Nativity Church’s Social Justice Coordinator. For thirteen years, she demonstrated how to value human life at all stages by leading ministries that served the homeless, hungry, immigrants, new and expecting mothers, and the incarcerated. She cherished her time as an active member of Birthright, serving as the Board President. She spent countless hours volunteering locally by serving the hungry at Dorothy Day House and Churches United for the Homeless, and helping new Americans settle into our community. She also worked to impact change at a national and global level through her work locally and in Washington, DC, with organizations like ONE, which strive to combat HIV/AIDS and extreme poverty and development challenges around the globe.

Cathy lived her faith. She closely followed the words of Nano Nagle, the Foundress of the Presentation Sisters, “Not Words, But Deeds”. One of her final projects was working closely with Sr. Stella Olson to place a Nano Nagle statue at Shanley and Holy Cross Cemetery, memorializing the work of the Presentation Sisters. In recognition of her lifetime of service, Cathy received with the Nano Nagle Award, The Caritas Award, and The Deacon Award.

Cathy loved all things France. The world was her classroom and she took great pride in taking student groups to Europe. Many of her students had never traveled before and these trips to France instilled a love of culture and language in her students and her children.

She loved traveling with Morrie and their dear friends, the Van Hooks and Savageaus, taking numerous trips to Europe and bringing her family to Phoenix to visit her brother, Tom.

Cathy took great joy in spending time with her grandchildren, making cookies and music together and supporting their Catholic educations.

In her final hours, she was able to listen to her beloved Notre Dame Fighting Irish win the Sugar Bowl.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Morrie; her daughter, Sarah and Tom Walters, and her beloved grandchildren, Andrew, Sophia, and Mason, Plymouth, MN; her daughter, Lisa and Hilary, Fargo, ND, and Scottsdale, AZ; son, Chris and Rebecca, Dallas, Texas; and her brother, Tom Rutten and Maggie, Prescott, AZ.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vince and Elizabeth Rutten.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the places Cathy loved: The Presentation Sisters (PBVM), Birthright, One, Shanley High School or Nativity Catholic Church Social Justice.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at St. Catherine’s North and Hospice for the thoughtful and loving care they gave her during 2 and a half years at St. Catherine’s North.

Cathy’s life has been a beautiful example of what Catholics are called to do: love, serve, and give. A Deacon is one who serves, and she was a true Deacon.

Visitation: January 8, 2025 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center

Vigil: January 8, 2025 6:00 pm

Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center

Visitation: January 9, 2025 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Holy Spirit Catholic Church Fargo, ND

Mass of Christian Burial: January 9, 2025 2:00 pm

Holy Spirit Catholic Church Fargo, ND

Send a Gift in Memory of Cathy:  (Click Here)

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