Kathy Meier

A Celebration of Life has been scheduled and will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at the KC Hall, 616 W. David St., in Morton.

TREMONT – Katherine M. “Kathy” Meier, 70, of Tremont, passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2020, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, in Peoria.

She was born on November 2, 1949, in Peoria, Ill., to Robert and Clara (Franzgrote) Strassburger. She married Lawrence H. “Larry” Meier in Peoria, Ill., on June 14, 1975. He survives.

Also surviving are daughters, Elizabeth “Liz” “Lisa” Meier of Morton, and Kristin (Daniel) Harrington of Seattle, Wash.; one granddaughter and light of her life, Julia Katherine Harrington of Seattle, Wash.; siblings, Christopher (Marianne) Strassburger of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Frederick Strassburger of Sheboygan, Wisc., Julie (Joe) Peterburs of South Elgin, Ill., and Marianne (David) Lasser of Bloomington, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.

Kathy worked for the US Postal Service for approximately 5 years before focusing on full time motherhood with her two daughters. Once both were teenagers, she embarked on a new career with the University of Illinois Extension, as a Nutrition Education Community Worker, retiring after 19 years.

Kathy was an avid Master Gardener and Master Food Preserver. She was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Women’s Auxillary in Morton, and volunteered at Central Illinois Totes for Ta-Tas. Other activities include volunteering with Tazewell County 4-H, where she served as Superintendent of the Foods Department. 

Kathy was a great cook and made especially good homemade pizza. She was always eager to help when anyone had questions about gardening, plants, food preservation and canning, as well as advice on raising strong, independent girls and a fierce granddaughter. There was never a more energetic and giving person when someone needed a hand, and she was supportive of everyone in their walk of life. Her love for life and everyone around her was evident in her beautiful laugh, her shining eyes, and her huge hugs. 

Kathy was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Morton, where a private Mass of Christian burial will take place. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in West Peoria.

Memorials may be made to Tazewell County 4-H or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton is handling arrangements.

Kathy’s Funeral Mass will be live streamed via the Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home Facebook Profile at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2020 at https://www.facebook.com/knappjohnsonfuneralhome