KEWANEE – Cathy S. (Ackerson) Piester, 76, of Kewanee, passed away at 2:12 a.m., Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at her home surrounded by her family.

She was born on July 28, 1949 in Geneseo, the daughter of Albert and Joanna (Lain) Ackerson. She married Donnie L. Piester on March 1, 1967 in Cambridge. Survivors include her husband, her son, Joey L. (Christy) Piester, her two daughters, Christy S. (Daryl) Hofmeister and Teresa J. (David) Poe, two brothers, Douglas (Denise) Ackerson and Lester Ackerson, two sisters, Candice (Jeremy) DeBrouwer and Colleen (Edward) Fleming, nine grandchildren; Kyle (Cassie) Piester, David (Victoria) DuBois, Tyler (Molly) Poe, Miranda (Mitch) Schultz, Megan Poe, Kamryn Poe, Alex Piester, Cassandra Rogers and Jordan Rogers, seven great grandchildren and the favorite aunt to many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Carol (David) Davis and Christine Ackerson.

Cathy attended J.D. Darnall High School in Geneseo. She worked at the Star Courier in Kewanee for over 20 years and also worked for Bomag and as a travel agent for Novak’s Travel Service. She was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She enjoyed traveling, riding motorcycles, square dancing with the Kewanee Curly Q’s and bowling and golfing in leagues. Cathy was the matriarch of the family. She loved her family and cherished the time spent with them. She thoroughly enjoyed family gatherings, especially during Hog Days where it was known that her house was the place to be.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 19 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee with Paul Schultz officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. A private burial will be held at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in rural Kewanee. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society for research or to the Henry County Humane Society-Kewanee Chapter.