Catherine (Cathy) Hennelly passed away Jan. 30 in St. Paul, MN, at Maple Hill Senior Living, where she resided.

Cathy was born Sept. 25, 1948, to Anna and Earl Troftgruben in Edinburg, ND. She had a brother, Arlynn and sister, Linda Troftgruben Grove. She earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and an associate degree in nursing from Montana State University Northern in Havre, MT. She married Elmer Bender in 1974 and had two children, Suzanne and Steven. She married Joe Hennelly in Butte, MT, in 1993.

Cathy resided in Havre from 1977 to 1988, in Butte from 1988 to 2000 and St. Paul from 2000 until 2026.

She worked as an RN most of her career, as director of nursing at Northern Montana Care Center in Havre, Crest Nursing Home in Butte, Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs, and worked at the Montana State Prison in Deere Lodge. In St. Paul she was director of nursing at Rainbow Home Health Care, as well as other health care agencies including the Hmong Agency. She also volunteered for the Block Nurse program and served as a board member. While in St. Paul, she became certified as a legal nurse consultant.

Cathy was known for her love of life, enjoying singing, camping, fishing and playing cards. Her zest for life was contagious, while her personality and fashion choices made sure you noticed her and smiled. She was an active member of the Lutheran church and a choir member, wherever she lived. She played an active role in politics and ran for the Minnesota House of Representatives. Cathy had a huge flower garden every summer and collected shelves and shelves of teapots. She also achieved 28 years of sobriety and stayed active in AA until the last few years.

Cathy was preceded in death by a grandson, Justin Hughes, and her parents and siblings. She is survived by her son, Steven Bender, and her daughter, Suzanne (Graham) Hughes and two grandsons, DJ and Riley Hughes, as well as cousins and friends.

Services for Cathy will be held in the spring at a time and location to be determined.