Catherine Marie Nevala

    Cathy Nevala, age 56, of Klamath Falls, Oregon, passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at home with her husband holding her hand, after a valiant fight with appendix cancer.
    Cathy was born October 21, 1966, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Andrew and Carol (Rank) Hvizdak. She graduated from Greendale High School in 1984 and earned her Bachelors degree in Art Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where she met her future husband. Cathy and Mark Nevala were married on February 2, 1991, in Stevens Point. The following Fall they moved to Helena, Montana, where she started her teaching career at Capital High School and coached the swim teams at Helena High and Capital High. Her two children, Drew and Bret were born in Montana.  She considered them her little angels because they were both born premature.
    In 1998, Cathy and Mark accepted teaching positions with the Klamath County School District and lived in Klamath Falls the rest of her career. She earned her Masters degree from Southern Oregon University and taught art, photography, and sculpture at Chiloquin and Mazama High Schools. A highlight of her teaching career was being a Crystal Apple Award winner for the Klamath County School District in 2018. A piece of her original artwork was also selected for the Alleyway Activation Project, near The Ledge Outdoor Store, in downtown Klamath Falls this past fall.
    Cathy touched thousands of lives through her teaching, coaching, and in ways she will never know. She will be remembered for her positivity, generosity, warmth, endless energy, and humor. She enjoyed traveling, outdoor activities, sporting events, attending concerts, and creating art in studio. Her indominable spirit and resilience will be forever missed.
    Cathy is survived by her husband of 32 years, Mark, and children Drew Nevala (Megan) and Bret Nevala. Her mother, Carol Hvizdak and brothers Ron Hvizdak (Barb), Tom Hvizdak (Don Rogalla), and Robert Hvizdak (Anne). She is also survived by her father and mother-in-law, Merlin and Patricia Nevala, brother-in- law, Jon Nevala (Melissa) and sister-in-law Tricia Nevala (Jesse), along with numerous nieces and nephews.
    She was preceded in death by her father, Andrew Hvizdak and brother and sister-in-law Dave and Jane Hvizdak.
    A Memorial Service will be held at St. Pius X Church in Klamath Falls on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Rosary will begin at 10:30am with Mass at 11:00am. A reception will follow the mass at St. Pius X. A Celebration of Life will take place at The Growler Guys in Klamath Falls, from 3:00 to 5:00. O’Hair-Wards Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements.
    In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Cathy’s name to the Hugh Currin House or The Cancer Fund at Sky Lakes Medical Center Foundation, 2865 Daggett Avenue,
Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601.

    Cathy was truly one-in-a-million, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. I’ll See You In My Dreams my lovely lady.