Catherine Barbara Jean Schnepf

1931 - 2023

INDEPENDENCE – Catherine Barbara Jean Schnepf was born January 19, 1931, in rural Linn County, Iowa, the third of nine, and the oldest daughter, to Conrad Schnepf and Sylvia Horak Schnepf. Catherine grew up west of Brandon and was a 1949 Brandon High School graduate. On June 19, 1949 Catherine and Carl Rouse were married in Brandon to this marriage four children were born, Deanna, Terry, Charlene, and Wendy.
Cathy was an active member in the VFW Auxiliary Post 2440 holding many officer positions at the local and state level. She enjoyed coffee with friends, fishing, crocheting, and dancing on Saturday nights and the babies.
Cathy passed away November 6, 2023, at ABCM Rehabilitation Center – West Campus in Independence, Iowa at the age of 92 with family by her side.
She is survived by her children: Deanna Abernathey (special friend Duane Donely), Brandon, Terry (Connie) Rouse, Silver Lake, Indiana, Char (Wayne) Swarts, Independence, and Wendy (Richard) Sperfslage, Quasqueton; two step-sons, Ken and Russ Weston and their families; her grandchildren: Carmen (David) Sloan, Carrie (Curt Bantz, Dan (Lori) Rouse, Cheri Rouse, Caryn Rouse, Jay (Tina) Harting, Cresent Swarts, Adam (Jessica) Swarts, Andy (Julia) Sperfslage, Brad (Nicole) Sperfslage, and Craig (Spencer) Sperfslage; her great-grandchildren; Iain and J. Miles McGrew, Carley Robison, Cayla Bantz, Cameron Bantz, Collin Bantz, Preston and Hazel Rouse, Kaeilin, Kyler, and Noelle Harting, Emmett and Nora Swarts, Wyatt, Claire, Brantley, Margaret, Anneliese, Rhett, Harper, and Carver Sperfslage; a brother Melvin (Jean) Schnepf; three sisters; Regina (Lee) Crooks, Susan Schnepf, and Marg (Robert) Carspeken; two sisters-in-law, Christine Schnepf and Jan Schnepf.
Cathy is preceded in death by her husband, Carl Rouse; Son-in-law, Gene Abernathey; mother Sylvia Elliott; four brothers: Bruce, Jesse, Verilius, and Benard; three sisters: Hilda Sauer, Marilyn Rouse, and Virginia Schepf; her second husband, Raymond Weston; and her third husband, Roy Miller.
The family would like to thank the CNA's, Dietary staff, and Nurses for providing excellent care in a family-like atmosphere at ABCM Rehabilitation Center in Independence, during Mom's past six years, Cedar Valley Hospice, and the Reiff Family Center for their care.
A Funeral Service was held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023, at the Reiff Famly Center – Funeral Home & Crematory in Independence. Burial was held at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence. Visitation was held from 5 until 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 9, at the Reiff Family Center.
To leave an online condolence please go to www.reifffamilycenter.com under obituaries.