Cathy was born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in a large and active family. Growing up she enjoyed hunting and fishing, having fun with family and friends. She graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls with a BSN in nursing, and moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. There she took the Power for Abundant Living class in 1984 and began her lifetime of service with and for God. In 1986 she entered the Way Corps Leadership training program where she met her future husband Stephen. They were married in 1990 and served in a variety of ministry roles over the next 25 years. Throughout their years of service, Cathy excelled in teaching and outreach, and started a thriving youth fellowship in Oregon. They currently live in Rochester, Minnesota, where Cathy works as the Clinical Hospital Coordinator for Mayo Clinic, where she has been leading their organ, eye, and tissue donation program for the past 10 years.