Catherine Elizabeth Dumler

It is with heavy hearts yet profound gratitude for a life well-lived that we announce the passing of Catherine Elizabeth (Eyth) Dumler, who entered into eternal life on April 20, 2026. According to her wishes, she spent her final six weeks at home, enjoying precious visits with dear friends and loved ones, ultimately passing with her beloved husband and daughters by her side. Her journey through life was marked by an unwavering faith in God, a relentless and infectious optimism, and a dedication to family and community that left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her. Born on October 22, 1950, in Beatrice, Nebraska, Cathy was the first-born daughter of William and Janet Eyth, both of whom preceded her in death. Cathy is survived by her devoted husband of nearly 53 years, Doug; her loving daughters, Abbie (Windsor, CO) and Julie (Nashville, TN); and her two adored “Grands,” Elena and Luke (Windsor, CO), who brought immense joy to her life. She is also survived by her stepmother Joyce, her sister Sally (Nick), her brother Tom, brother-in-law Charles (Emily), sisters-in-law Diane, Cindy (Beth) and Cathryn (Tim), and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom cherished her dearly. Cathy's early years were spent in Beatrice, where she graduated from Beatrice High School in 1969. She pursued a degree in Elementary Education at the University of Nebraska, where she became a proud member of Kappa Alpha Theta, one of many organizations she remained loyal to throughout her life. It was also during these years that Cathy met the love of her life, Doug Dumler, co-captain of the celebrated two-time National Champions Nebraska Cornhuskers football team. They were united in marriage on June 2, 1973, drove away from the church in Doug’s 1949 Buick, and embarked on a remarkable journey of love and partnership that would span over five decades. As a new wife now married to an NFL player (Patriots, Vikings), Cathy forged quick and deep friendships with the other “Patriots Wives” in Massachusetts, and put down New England roots that would never fade from her heart. She developed a love for “lobstah” and Cape Cod, although she infamously ordered a roast beef sandwich while dining at a high-end Boston seafood restaurant with some football bigwigs. You can take the girl out of Nebraska, but you can’t take the Nebraska out of the girl! After retiring from football, Cathy and Doug settled in Sharon, Massachusetts, where they welcomed their two daughters and became active in their church and community. Though they truly loved the life they built, the old home they had restored, and their many church and football friends who felt like family, a deep commitment to their values and a desire to raise their girls closer to “home” led them to move to Fort Collins, Colorado in 1990. The timing and details of their move to Colorado was one of many “God stories” Cathy would point to as evidence of God’s unending faithfulness and provision in their lives. Once settled, Cathy got a job as an Office Manager with Poudre School District, where she would be an inspirational and esteemed colleague to many over the next 25 years. Her crafty beading hobby meant no one ever lacked a seasonal or school spirit-themed lanyard, but she was mostly known for her friendly smile in the office, and her kind and helpful nature. No matter what school or building she worked in (Moore, Linton, Lesher and the Admin building), she made friends and developed lasting relationships everywhere she went. Especially cherished by Cathy were her “Sistrar” friends (sister Registrars), who she was always willing to sub for, even after retiring. She truly loved being around students and teachers and being able to help wherever she was needed. She and Doug were also long-time members of the Evangelical Covenant Church (now Council Tree) where Cathy initially encountered most of her treasured “Magnolia” girlfriends. All deeply faithful wives and mothers, this incredible group of women provided steady love and prayerful support for one another for over three decades and counting. More recently, she was a devoted member at Citylight Church in Fort Collins, where she never tired of hearing the gospel preached loudly and proudly. No role Cathy held in her lifetime gave her more joy than being a wife, a mom, and eventually a Nana. She delighted in making birthdays, holidays and any occasion special for her daughters and Grands, reading bedtime stories, baking cookies, thoughtfully decorating for each season, and upholding family traditions with great care. Through all of life’s challenges, she instilled in her daughters to look for the silver lining and to choose to see every situation through the lens of Romans 8:28 – God is working all things together for good. She was the queen of making “small world” connections with everyone she encountered, and in Cathy’s mind, there was no such thing as a coincidence; each and every surprise connection and encounter was a tiny miracle to be grateful for. Her daughters and grandchildren will carry on her legacy of having an “attitude of gratitude” and her positive outlook, grounded in faith in the Lord. They will always remember the way she served as a guiding light to them and others, offering comfort and encouragement even in the face of her own battle with pancreatic cancer. A celebration of Cathy's life will be held on May 11, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Timberline Church (south auditorium), where family and friends will gather to honor her remarkable life and legacy. We encourage those who can attend to wear colorful attire, Husker Red, or Red White & Blue, in honor of Cathy’s favorite themes. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to CityLight Church in Fort Collins or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, reflecting Cathy's enduring spirit and dedication to fighting the disease that ultimately claimed her life. The Dumler family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the various medical teams at UCHealth and Sarah Cannon Research Institute, as well as the staff at Pathways Hospice for their exceptional care and compassion during Cathy's final days. Their kindness and support were a source of comfort to Cathy and her family. Cathy's life was a testament to love, faith, and resilience. Her spirit will live on in the hearts of those she touched, and her legacy will continue to inspire and uplift. May she rest in peace, forever cherished and lovingly remembered.

Tributes

Catherine Elizabeth Dumler

October 22, 1950 - April 20, 2026