Catherine Jean Leistico, lovingly known as Cathy, was born June 21, 1947, in Worthington, Minnesota, to Mary Maxine Chase and Robert Harold Edwards. She passed away peacefully Friday, February 13, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas, at the age of 78.

Celebration of Life: 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Biggers Funeral Home, 6100 Azle Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76135.

A burial service in Minnesota will be scheduled at a later date.

After graduating from high school, Cathy began her career as a secretary. She later married Vern Leistico, and together they raised three children: Denise, Tad, and Tom. Following their separation in 1989, Cathy's lifelong passion for learning inspired her to return to school while raising her family. She earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota.

On January 6, 1995, she married David Watrud and welcomed Jennifer and Kimberly into her life. Cathy and David shared a loving marriage for 31 years.

Cathy was known for her kind, nurturing spirit and her deep love for her family. She treasured time spent with loved ones and found great joy in simple moments together. Cathy was also a devoted dog mom to her beloved Berkley. She and her husband Dave enjoyed biking and hiking, often taking trips that allowed them to spend time immersed in nature. Cathy was also an exceptional baker, famous among her family for her apple pies, cakes and cookies. A talented seamstress and crocheter, she created countless handmade gifts that will be treasured for generations.

Cathy is survived by her husband David; children: Denise Casper (Bill) of Paradise, Texas, Tad Leistico (Rebecca) of Omaha, Nebraska, and Tom Leistico of Fort Worth, Texas; her stepchildren, Jennifer Gnam (Ben) and Kimberly Watrud; her siblings, Joanne Lambert (Dennis), Robert Edwards (Patricia), and Janet Wass (Warren); her beloved grandchildren: Alyssa Adelman (Lukas), Emily Casper, Ryan Leistico, Emma Leistico, Gretchen Gnam, and Hazel Gnam; and she was especially proud of her great-grandson, Liam Adelman.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Mary Edwards and her sister, Nancy Edwards.

Cathy's warmth, generosity, and quiet strength will be remembered always. Her legacy lives on through the love she shared and the family she built.