Catherine Figland, 85, of Grinnell, passed away Sunday, Apr. 4, 2021, at her home at Seeland Park. Graveside funeral services will be held at a later date in the Jackson Township Cemetery in Montezuma. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of Montezuma is taking care of the funeral arrangements.
Catherine Crawford Figland, the daughter of David and Janet (Anderson) Walker, was born on Apr. 24, 1935, in Holytown, Lanarkshire, Scotland. She spent the first years of her life attending school and working in the town of Motherwell, Scotland. Catherine first came to the United States in 1966 to visit her brother, David, and visit some Iowa family members where she met Sheldon Figland. Oct. 21, 1967, they were united in marriage at Montezuma Presbyterian Church. Sheldon and Catherine settled down on the family farm near Searsboro where Sheldon farmed and Catherine was a homemaker. Together they had two daughters, Janet and Irene. She enjoyed knitting and taught several ladies in the community and her daughter, Janet, how to knit. She also enjoyed visits with family and friends. She was a member of the Bunker Hill Community Club for many years. In 2003, Sheldon and Catherine moved to Seeland Park in Grinnell and made several new friendships during this time. In 2018 and 2019, Catherine enjoyed a touring trip to Scotland with each of her daughters and their families, sharing many childhood stories and early adult memories along the way.
Catherine will be especially missed and remembered by her daughters, Janet (Charlie Joerger) Sears of Fayette and Irene (Eric) Barbour of Plymouth, MN; two grandsons, Cameron and Ian Barbour; two brothers, William Walker and Robert Walker, both of Scotland; friend of over 70 years, Margaret Gardner of Wishaw, Scotland, and many other relatives and friends.
Catherine was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Sheldon in 2008; and a brother, David Walker.
