RAPID CITY- Catherine J. Corning, passed away Sunday, December 15 at the age of 96. Catherine's parents, William and Julia Schnaidt welcomed her into the world on July 20, 1917 in a farm house near Menno, South Dakota. Catherine, her three sisters and parents lived on the farm until the family later moved to Brookings and then Sioux Falls. There, Catherine met her future husband, Duane (Duke) Corning and graduated from Augustana College with a teaching degree. On October 1, 1942, she and Duke were married at Calvary Cathedral Episcopal Church. The couple were founding members of Good Shepherd Episcopal church in Sioux Falls and Catherine became very active with the March of Dimes during the national effort to control polio. In 1963, when Duke became Adjutant General for South Dakota, they moved to Rapid City where Catherine was involved with the National Guard "Guard Wives" and their Save the Children project. For 45 years, until Duke's retirement in 1988, she was a self-described "military wife," and well known throughout the state's military community. Catherine loved her "cozy cabin" in the Black Hills and until she was well into her eighties, spent many hours at the cabin, which became a focal point for family gatherings. Her survivors include three children: Jim Corning, Pierre; Bruce Corning, Ft. Worth, Texas, and Carol Logan, Pierre; six grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and one great great grandson. She was loved and is deeply missed. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 19 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 20, at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Rapid City with the Rev. Kathy Monson Lutes officiating. Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.