Catherine Mary Ekstrom

Catherine Mary Elizabeth Ekstrom, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, entered into eternal rest on June 15, 2025 at the age of 74. She leaves behind a legacy of love, service, and compassion. Born to William and Mary Elizabeth Bowman on January 10, 1951, Cathy was the second oldest of seven children.
She graduated from Western Illinois State University and became a juvenile probation officer for Kane County. She and Paul Ekstrom, her husband, married on November 24, 1984. A devout Catholic, Cathy shared her love of and service for God with everyone she met. Her kindness and dedication as a wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother, were boundless and inspirational. Cathy's wry, witty sense of humor, cleverness, and kindness were truly one-of-a-kind.
Cathy is survived by her husband, Paul; her children, Joseph (Brittany Sundgren-Ekstrom) Ekstrom, Mary (Jake) Strong, and Jamie (George) Casas; her grandchildren, Luke and Liam Strong and Matthew Casas; her siblings, John, Terri, Mary Carol, Tricia, and Mark; her mother in law, Lois Ekstrom and many nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Her love for God, her selfless spirit, and her unwavering support of and love for her family will live on in everyone she touched. She's now watching over us with her parents and her sister, Julie.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Holy Angels Food Pantry in Aurora, Illinois (https://holyangelsfoodpantry.org/ways-to-give/), or to Wayside Cross Ministries (https://www.waysidecross.org/donate-now/). Both of these organizations serve those in need in Aurora and were always close to Cathy's heart.
There will be a visitation at Healy Chapel in Aurora, Illinois, from 5pm-8pm on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. A mass and service will be held at Holy Angels Church in Aurora at 10am on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, followed by a burial service at Whitney Cemetery in Wasco, and a luncheon at the Cheshire Clubhouse in Sugar Grove.