CATHERINE M. SELBERG Nov. 10, 1925 - Oct. 16, 2014 Catherine M. Selberg, a Paradise resident & member of St. Thomas More Church since 1954, died at home with her daughter and son-in-law at her side, on Oct. 16, 2014 (70 years from the day she married Maurice K. Selberg). She would have turned 89 the following month. Her life began in Drake, N. Dakota on Nov. 10, 1925. She was born at home, the 10th and last child of John & Kate Anton. Her father died 6 mos. later. All of her siblings worked early in their lives to help their mother make ends meet. At the age of 5 she pulled her "little red wagon" full of laundry (her mother had washed & ironed) to deliver to her mother's customers. One summer her mother took the youngest children with her to a nearby town to work at a hotel/restaurant. Catherine's job was drying dishes and hanging the dish towels out to dry. As a teenager, after school, she worked for a family laundering and ironing in their home. The husband wore a white starched shirt each day and the wife dressed her daughter in dresses with layers and layers of ruffles that needed starching. This family had quite a different lifestyle and their "flair" for fashion rubbed off on her. In her adult life she was always known as a "classy" dresser. At the age of 16, while working at her older sisters' cafe, she attended a town dance in Velva N. Dakota on June 2, 1942. A young man, named Maurice asked her to dance and they were together for the rest of their lives, having married on Oct. 16, 1944. Catherine worked in restaurants, grocery stores, & ladies apparel shops until 1950. She gave birth to a daughter (Vicki) that year and a son (Steven) in 1953. She was a full time mother until 1961 when she became a sales clerk for "Betty's Apparels" located on Skyway. Several years later "Osers" of Chico purchased the Paradise business and Catherine became the manager and buyer for their Paradise location. She loved her "San Francisco" market days where she would pick out fashions to bring to Paradise. In those days, the clothing stores were small, intimate, and personalized. Customers would even get calls from Cathy and her co-workers to let them know of items they thought were the perfect color or style for them. Everyone got the experience of having their own "personal assistant." Following her "Osers" days she transferred her talents to "Grinages" in Chico where women from all over Butte County came for their fashion conscious shopping. Cathy is remembered by her co-workers as meticulous, humorous, and a go getter. (she repeatedly won "top sales person") She is remembered by her past customers for her "eye" for color and style. Cathy retired in 1988 to join her husband (who had retired in 1987) for many road trips mainly to attend Dixieland Jazz Festivals, visit out of town family/friends, and Casino's to play poker and blackjack. She also joined many friends weekly for local Bingo nights. Due to her husbands' Parkinson challenges they moved from their home of 50 years to Apt. 140 at Feather Canyon in July of 2008. Following her husbands' death in 2010 she remained at Feather Canyon Retirement Community until her death. The staff and residents of this community offered her a rich life filled with kindnesses, attention, lasting friendships, enjoyable activities, wonderful entertainment, and a true sense of extended family. She was especially fond of her hairdresser there, Marilyn Underhill who contributed to her continuing "classy lady" image. Catherine was preceded in death by her 9 siblings & husband Maurice. She is survived by her son Steven (Sally) of Bremerton, Wash., daughter Vicki (John) Kunst of Paradise, grandson Ryan Selberg, grandaughter Gabrielle Lohse, great-grandchildren Kameron & Alexis Lohse, & grandson Aaron Kunst.
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Published in Chico Enterprise-Record on Nov. 22, 2014
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