The eldest of four children, Catherine was born October 28, 1922 to Andrew T. and Alpha Nelson in the Township of Geneva, Minnesota. She graduated with honors from Ellendale High School in Ellendale, MN in May, 1940. Following graduation from high school Catherine attended one year at Mankato State Teachers College. In 1941 Catherine pursued her dream and moved to Los Angeles, CA. While living in Los Angeles she worked as a secretary. Eventually moving to Orange County, Catherine married her first husband, Milo Saiben; together they owned and operated a chicken ranch in Buena Park.

On April 9, 1962 Catherine married Walter Corbin in a civil service in Santa Ana, CA. They were married for 21 years. During that time Catherine worked as an executive secretary for Title Insurance and Trust Company in Santa Ana, CA and later for First American Title as an escrow secretary.

Catherine was an avid golfer and after the passing of her second husband she began golfing two or three times at week at Irvine Coast Country Club and Santa Ana Country Club. She acquired a number of trophies during that time.

While attending a high school class reunion in 1986 Catherine became reacquainted with a former classmate, Leroy "Bud" Miller. Bud had recently become widowed; shortly, thereafter, they began a long-distance relationship consisting of telephone calls, letters and an occasional short trip to California for Bud. On July 4, 1987 Catherine and Leroy were married in Newport Beach, CA. Their marriage lasted until her passing on May 27, 2012. Catherine was a strong, independent woman, the matriarch of her family and the voice of reason. Her thoughts were always for the welfare of others.

As she requested, Catherine's family will be celebrating her life with an intimate gathering at sea. Her final resting place will be wherever the ocean breeze takes her. . .