Catherine Josephine "Katie" Porsch Katie was born to Eva and Carl Schmidt in Moberly, Missouri, on June 3, 1923. She was part of a large and loving family of six brothers and sisters. During World War II, Katie worked as a "Rosie the Riveter" at a bomber factory in Long Beach.

She married Arnold, a S/SGT in the Army Air Corps, in 1943. She and Arnold were founding members of Peace Lutheran Church in Palm Desert. They also developed a successful real estate firm in the desert after moving from Orange County. Katie was active in community service throughout her thirty years in the desert.

Katie is survived by her son, Arnie and wife Judy, daughters, Christine and husband Lance, Carolyn and husband Bruce, brother, Paul, sisters Eva, Ruth, and Louise, grandchildren Nicole, Shannon, Joel, Jon, Matthew, Jennifer, Steven, and Rachel, and seven great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, December 2, 2011, with services at 10:00 a.m., at Wiefels Funeral Home, 690 South Vella Road, Palm Springs.

Interment will be at Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier, California.