Cathy Kay Wolven was born Cathleen Kay Hartzell on September 23, 1940, to Ralph and Birdie Hartzell. Cathy was one of the original Branson natives. She was the youngest of nine children and the last of her generation of Hartzells.

They were raised on a family farm along the banks of Bull Creek, MO. Cathy grew up picking strawberries and attending Victor Baptist Church. She graduated from Southwest Baptist College, where she met and married Joe Ray Wolven, her preacher husband that God had promised her. They were married August 2, 1959, and raised three sons, Kent Elbert, Keith Delbert and Christopher Lloyd Wolven. She and Joe also hosted their exchange student Øivind Martinsen, from Norway, in 1981 and he was considered her honorary son. Cathy served alongside Brother Joe until his death in March of 2015. She continued on with a servant’s heart until her last breath on July 4, 2026. She was a prayer warrior, a confidant, and encourager to all who had the honor of knowing her.

Among her many personal accomplishments, she was a teacher, a florist, a master gardener, an author of 6 books, an avid birdwatcher, a teller of spoonerisms, a snow loving angel and most of all, a walking example of a woman of faith.

Cathy is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Birdie Hartzell; her siblings, Vernon, Richard, Archie, Betty, Violet, Ruth, Rachel and Muriel; her husband, Reverend Joe Wolven; and her eldest son Kent Wolven.

Cathy is survived by: Kent’s daughters, Melissa May and her husband, James and Andrea Schlinder and her wife, Kelly. Keith Wolven and his wife, Barbara, their children, Christy Herbert and her husband, Jay and Steven Wolven and his wife, Robin. Chris Wolven and his wife Karen. Chris’ children, Victoria Seymour, Sierra Bermudez and her husband, Justin and Shea Findley. Sam Wolven and his wife, Cheyenne. And Karen’s children, Ryan, Bethany and Joseph Piotrowski and Steven Karas. In addition, Cathy is survived by 19 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, and, of course, her church families and camp kids.

Cathy will be remembered formally today in this moment, but will remain in our hearts forever.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 10, 2026, in Orange Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Aurora, MO. A celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in Orange Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Aurora, MO with Pastor Kevin Vanderlaan and Steven Wolven officiating. Cremation was under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home, Kimberling City, MO.

In lieu of flowers, Cathy has requested memorials to Camp Cumberland in her name. Checks may be made to MO Presbytery and mailed to: Mo Presbytery, 706 Hagny Street, Lamar, MO 64759.