Catherine Seyller

Rochester, MN

JULY 29, 1925 – MAY 16, 2026

Catherine Seyller passed away peacefully on May 16th; she was 100 years, 9 months and 18 days old. Born July 29, 1925, in Quincy, Illinois to John Wesley and Iona Lou (Purvis) Roland she was the 5th of 11 children. Katie, as she was known to many, lived in Quincy, attended public schools and graduated early at 15. She was a life-long loyal and fervent “Blue Devil.” She received a B.S. in English from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1944. Back in Quincy, she worked writing and producing for the first CBS and NBC television stations and the first FM radio channel there. She married Billy Wayne Edmonson in Quincy in 1946 and resided there with their young family until 1952.

For the next 10 years, the family moved throughout Illinois in support of Bill’s career. Ever bright and industrious, at each location, Katie found ways to supplement the family income, often working multiple jobs at once. Bill died tragically in an automobile accident in 1962. Acceding to her children’s wishes, the family remained in Hampshire, Illinois, where she resided until 2012. She was hired by the Milk Foundation in Chicago (later to become the Dairy Nutrition Council) as a nutrition consultant, where for 25 years she wrote and developed materials for the dairy industry. She continued to work multiple jobs that allowed her to still focus on her family, and for 14 years, she sold advertising and wrote articles for the Hampshire Register. She also served as a Notary Public and prepared taxes.

In 1964, she met and married a second “love of her life,” Ralph Seyller. They shared many interests – a passion for all sports (local and national), involvement in the Democratic party, and devotion to their shared family. Catherine was a member of the United Methodist Church, held various positions on the board, and sang in the choir. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and served over 50 years as an election judge. In 2012, she moved to Charter House in Rochester, MN. Throughout her nineties, she maintained her commitment to staying fit, typically walking a mile or more each day. She was also widely known for her beautifully handcrafted crocheted angels which she passed out and mailed by the 100s to friends, family and those she felt needed encouragement. Catherine is survived by her four children: Sarajane (Rodney) Myers of Bloomington, MN; David (Jodi) Edmonson of Rochester, MN; Donald (Maile) Edmonson of Marengo, IL; and Susan (Dale) Seyller of Caledonia, IL. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Catherine made arrangements that upon her death, her body would be donated to Mayo Clinic, saying, “Maybe it could help somebody.” She spent much of her life in service of others. If you wish to make a donation in her memory, please consider a humanitarian organization of your choice.