Catherine M. Diggs

Catherine Mary Diggs, 97, of Rock Island, IL died Monday, January 9, 2012, at the Silver Cross Nursing Center, Rock Island, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 14, 2012 at the First Baptist Church, Rock Island, IL. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Burial will be at the New Windsor Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the American Kidney Association for research for Polysistic Kidney Disease.

Catherine was born in rural Alpha, IL on June 29 1914, the daughter of Thomas L. and Grace (Roberts) Briggs. She graduated from Alpha High School in 1931 and from Rock Island Business College in 1932. She married George J. Diggs on September 21, 1935, in Champaign, IL.

Catherine started her career with the Army Air Corps at Chanute Field, Rantoul IL as a secretary and worked there 6 years. After that, she was a "stay at home Mom". In 1950 she worked at the Anderson General Store and then became Secretary to the Superintendent of the AlWood Schools. In 1963 she transferred to the US Corp of Engineers, Rock Island, IL and retired from there in 1983 after 26 years of service.

Catherine had been an active member of the First Baptist Church, Rock Island, IL. She was a member of AARP, NARF and Rock Island Farm Bureau. She was a former member of HI YA Club and a volunteer at Trinity Hospital, Rock Island, IL. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include her daughter, Carole (Dan) Lancour of Oconomowoc, WI and five grandchildren, Heather Lange, Centennial, CO, Kelly (Bob) Brenner, Pewaukee, WI, J.P. (Erin) Lange, Delafield, WI, Jeff Ronk, Rock Island, IL and Tim Ronk, Moline, IL. She also has six great grandchildren, Kayla and Jordan Brenner, Sofie Hays and Gage, Gannon & Teagan Lange. Her sister, Frances McCaw of Viola also survives her.

Her parents, husband, daughter, Patricia Ronk, sisters, Ferris Granger and Bliss Lees, brother, Max Briggs, and infant brother, preceded her in death.