Catherine C. Hackett

Catherine C. Hackett, age 96, formerly of Morristown, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2026, in Northfield, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Medford. Interment will be held at Corpus Christi Cemetery in Deerfield Township.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home and will continue Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. at church prior to Mass. The Rosary will be recited at 3:30 P.M. on Friday before the visitation.

Memorials are preferred to the ALS Association of Minnesota/North Dakota/South Dakota Chapter, Northfield Women’s Center, or the Seminary Education Fund through the Diocese of Winona.

Catherine Cordelia DeFrees, daughter of Francis and Agnes (Caron) DeFrees, was born on November 7, 1929, in Faribault, Minnesota. She graduated from Faribault High School and attended Mankato Teachers College, where she earned her teaching certificate in 1949. She later completed her bachelor’s degree in 1972.

On December 27, 1950, she was united in marriage to George Martin Hackett at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Faribault. Together they built a life grounded in faith, family, and hard work.

Catherine devoted herself to raising their six children while supporting George in his work as an educator in Mankato and in farming in Steele and Rice Counties. She was a talented seamstress who sewed many of her children’s clothes and lovingly made quilts or knitted afghans for her grandchildren as they graduated from high school. She was also a prolific cook and baker and puzzle maker and will be fondly remembered for her pancakes, sweet rolls, potato salad, calico beans, and lemon meringue pie.

An avid gardener, Catherine carefully preserved the fruits of each harvest, canning and freezing enough produce to fill her pantry for the winter while generously sharing with family and friends.

Catherine was known for her deep faith, her tireless work ethic and unwavering devotion to her family. She was an active and dedicated member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato and later Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Deerfield, where she was a member of the Court of St. Anne Catholic Daughters.

After George retired from teaching in Mankato in 1981, the couple moved to their farm near Morristown, where they continued farming for many years. They especially enjoyed spending their winters in Mesa, Arizona.

Catherine took great joy in her family and was deeply proud of the life she and George built together. She delighted in her six children, twenty-two grandchildren, and forty-five great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her six children: Michael (Annie) Hackett of Faribault; Patricia (Niles) Batdorf of Duluth, Minnesota; Christine (Rod) LeVake of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Ann (Michael) Yungner of Maple Grove, Minnesota; Mary (Allen) Peterson of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; and Elizabeth (Jeffrey) Wickmann of Crossville, Tennessee; along with grandchildren and their spouses, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George Hackett; her parents; and her siblings.

Her family is grateful for the example she set through her steadfast faith, generosity, hard work, and enduring love.

Funeral arrangements are being completed by the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory.