Cathers find volunteering to be rewarding
Staff writer
Jim and Peggy Cather of Marion don't consider their volunteer efforts to be anything out of the ordinary.
Both are quick to note there are others in the Marion community who are much more involved than they.
But in the 13 years since returning to make Marion their home, the couple has found that being involved can be fun.
"It takes more than two people to get involved on any committee," Peggy said. "We always invite other people to join us and have fun."
Although the Cathers are involved with a number of groups and organizations, two are very dear to their hearts — the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and the annual Marion Community Thanksgiving celebration.
The commitment to the Relay for Life is a personal one for Peggy.
"I am a cancer survivor," she said. "The survivors always walk the first lap of the relay."
Peggy's bout with cancer began eight years ago. Since then, she's undergone a variety of treatments.
"I've had several re-occurrences, but right now I'm cancer free," she said, using her knuckles to knock on a wooden table.
Her personal experience fueled her involvement with the American Cancer Society.
"It's been very rewarding to work for the local cancer society. We have a good committee," she said naming off the members. "These are great people to work with and be with. We all pitch in to get things done."
Jim also is involved in the organization. One of his contributions is helping blow up the nearly 300 balloons released during the Relay for Life.
"Luckily, we have a machine that does that," he said with a smile.
Marion Community Thanksgiving also is a joint effort for the couple.
"We first got involved by contributing food for our church," Jim said.
"Then, there was a meeting and I said I'd go," Peggy continued. "Another time I couldn't go to the meeting so Jim said he'd go and that's how we both got involved."
The Cathers said their time commitment to the annual dinner is minimal.
"All the members of the committee have been on long enough that they've pretty much got it down to a fine art," Peggy said. "So and so is in charge of this; another person is in charge of that.
"We all know what needs to be done to keep things moving," Peggy added. "But it would be nice if other people got involved. We'd love to have them.
"It probably only takes 15 or 16 hours each year and that's not a lot of time to contribute to your community," Jim added. "It's a great opportunity for real camaraderie."
A Marion native, the former Peggy Weibert grew up in the restaurant business. Her parents, Harry and Irene Weibert, owned the Owl Car Café, a fixture in downtown Marion for years.
Jim Cather was born in Oklahoma. He was an adult serving in the Navy when his parents moved to Marion.
"I came to Marion, met Peggy, and we were married here," Jim said.
Jim attended Tabor College for two years before the Cathers left the area in 1961. Ultimately, he made teaching his career, working at Lincoln High School in Lincoln, Neb., from 1966 until his retirement in 1991. During that time, he also taught community college classes.
"All our kids are in Lincoln," Peggy said.
The Cathers have three children, Fred, Ed, and Melinda Jones, along with seven grandchildren ranging in age from 10 to 26.
Leaving the kids behind, the couple returned to their Marion roots in 1991.
"Peggy's dad was here. My mom was here and we thought we'd come back too," Jim explained.
"I loafed around for a year before going to work in the vehicle department for the Marion County Treasurer," Jim said. He held that position from 1992 through 1999.
While in Nebraska, Peggy was employed as a dental technician. But after moving to Marion, she worked as a caregiver and volunteered at Marion Manor.
Back when the Cathers were still living in Nebraska, Peggy's father sold the Owl Car and went to work as the sexton at Marion Cemetery.
"When we'd come back to Marion to visit I'd help him. When we moved back I helped him a lot," Jim said.
Later, when a position came open on the city's cemetery board Jim was asked to fill it. He's served as board secretary for years.
Jim also is in his second three-year term on the Hilltop Manor advisory board. One of the board's main goals is to get a tornado shelter built for the residents.
"They're supposed to go over to Eastmoor (church), but that's quite a walk for some," Jim explained. "We've talked about the tornado shelter for years."
Among their other activities, the couple helps with bingo at St. Luke Living Center and helps make the sack lunches, a fund-raiser at Marion Manor for the American Heart Association.
The couple also is involved in various organizations at their church, Our Savior Lutheran. Among them, Jim is chairman of the congregation, while Peggy is involved in the women's organization.
The Cathers encourage others to get involved in their communities. There are many benefits, they say.
"We've become acquainted with a lot of nice people that way," Peggy said.
