Catherine Claire DeVoge

Catherine Claire DeVoge—RN, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, published author, and ANP, 78, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away October 13, 2020. Catherine was born on July 17, 1942 in Wichita, KS.

Catherine loved learning and books, collecting an extensive library. She attended St. Mary’s Cathedral school through 8th grade and graduated from Wichita’s Madonna High School in 1960. In 1964, she completed her Bachelor Degree in Nursing from St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City, KS. She became a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, earning her Masters from Fort Hays State University in 1970. Late in life, she would also graduate with a Masters in Nursing. She worked as a therapist at Larned State Hospital, Great Bend Mental Health Clinic, and in private practice. She published works on Rational Emotive Therapy in the 1970s. She returned to Nursing in the 1980s.

Catherine was married to Wilfred Helfrich from 1964-1970 and she is survived by her only son (Tony, b. 1968) and three grandchildren (Halle, Sian, and Kian Helfrich) whom she adored. Her younger brother Ted preceded her in death in 1997, and she is survived by three younger sisters (Colette, Rose, and Sylvi). Her parents were Marguerite and Charles DeVoge.

She loved to talk politics (she was a committed Democrat), history, and sports. She was a Royals, Jayhawks, Chiefs, and Los Angeles Dodgers fan. Her favorite pastime was attending baseball games and she went to many Dodgers games while living in Los Angeles from 1978-1996. She moved to Lawrence in 1996 and finished her career in Kansas City. She was very proud of her grandchildren and enjoyed, teaching them to sew, watching old movies with them, and writing cards using her “funny voice.”

A private family memorial service is planned for a later date. We welcome you to leave fond memories and condolences for the family on the Tribute Wall above.