Catherine Dytrt

Catherine Dytrt, 90, of Belmont NC, Formerly of Alburnett, IA, and Forest Heights, MD, died Monday, March 17, 2025, at home with family at her side.

Survivors include her three children, Susan Bradley (Robert) of Alexandria, VA, Michael Dytrt (Grace) of Mt. Holly, NC, and Stefan Dytrt (Stephanie Westrick) of Arlington, VA; six grandchildren, Joe Bradley (Kira), Katy Linhart (Josh), Will Bradley (Cass), Laura Clark (Tim), James Dytrt, and James Stewart; two great-grandchildren, Nicklas and Jacob; two brothers Ken Andrews (Shirley) of Alburnett, IA, Mike Andrews of Toddville, IA, sister in law Helen Andrews and numerous nieces and nephews.

Catherine was born in Toddville, IA on December 2, 1934, the daughter of Anna (Erickson) and Wencil Andrews. Catherine attended the University of Iowa and Iowa State in the mid-fifties.

In 1955 Catherine worked at Collins Radio where she met her husband, Joe. They married in 1957 and moved to Washington, D.C. where she worked for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics which would soon become NASA. She oversaw the employment application process for the new space agency and received calls from then Senator Lyndon Johnson, Vice-President Richard Nixon and Neil Armstrong among others.

Catherine was active in her church and volunteered for the local elementary schools, girl scouts, cub scouts and numerous food pantries. Some of her best memories were of the many family vacations spent at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She loved board games, the Iowa Hawkeyes, cooking and gardening. She was kind, witty and always helped others.

Catherine was preceded in death by her husband Joseph Dytrt; parents Anna and Wencil Andrews; sisters Marjorie and Helen; brothers Marvin, Donald and Bruce.

An inurnment ceremony will take place on a future date at Arlington National Cemetery.