Catherine M. (Jacobson) Lanik, age 65, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend, passed away October 22nd, 2025, surrounded by family and love after a year long battle with cancer.
Catherine “Cathy” Mary was born May 5, 1960, in Winona to Margaret “Peggy” (Maas) and Lyle Jacobson. Cathy was all about family and was a lifelong area resident. She graduated from Winona Senior High School in 1978. In 1980, Cathy married Timothy Schneider and they had 2 children John and Joseph. They divorced in 1990. For the next 15 years, Cathy fiercely raised her 2 sons while working 2 jobs and getting them involved with many activities. Cathy then met William (Bill) Lanik in 2005. They enjoyed each other’s company so much that they worked on their relationship for 8 years finally getting married on May 25th, 2013.
Cathy, out of high school, worked several service jobs part time. Then in 1997 Cathy started her career at Benchmark Electronics in Winona and spent the next 28 years until her retirement in June of 2025. She was also a 1st responder the majority of the time with Benchmark. Cathy was also an incredible bartender working at several establishments in Winona including Goodview Municipal Bar, Jake’s Bar, Jake’s Saloon and Westfield Golf Course Lounge.
When Cathy was not working, she poured her heart and soul into raising money and being involved in several organizations including The Children’s Miracle Network, Muscular Dystrophy, The Jerry Lewis Telethon and The River Town Shuffle to name a few. Her last service organization ended up being her home away from home. Cathy, along with her husband Bill were Co-founders of Christian Crossings Inc. and The Crossings Center based in Lewiston, MN. Cathy was on the Board of Directors and volunteered with CCI and The Crossings Center from 2006 to the time of her passing. Cathy was a fixture at the grounds of The Center and became friends with many people because of her association with the non-profit organization.
One other passion of Cathy’s made her a master tie-blanket maker. She always made sure that everyone she knew deserved a beautiful, colorful themed tie-blanket and everyone loved them. As she made them, she would pray for the individual she was making them for. Her last big tie-blanket challenge came when a friend approached Cathy, while battling cancer, to make 168 blankets for 2 organizations. Those 2 organizations were The University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital and The Childhood Cancer Community in Rochester, MN. She accepted and completed the task.
Cathy was a home body at heart, but she and Bill did get some traveling in. Flying to Boston and San Diego and flying to Miami to go on a cruise with friends. Driving to the Florida Keys and driving through 8 states in the southwest part of the country. She loved every minute of it. Cathy’s husband Bill is a musician that played in a live music band. Cathy enjoyed traveling to his shows with him because it meant meeting new friends at each location and she did it with class. The highlight at each show was Bill would come down off the stage and dance with her as he sang the song “Love Of A Lifetime” to her.
Cathy was known throughout her life for her trademark SMILE and a wink (actually several) of her eye.
Cathy is survived by her husband Bill, son John (Mackenzie) Schneider (grandsons Landon (Kynlee) & Zachary), son Joe (Sabrina Pfund) Schneider (granddaughters Ariana & Kylie). Mother Peggy Jacobson. Step-son Aaron (Michelle Radike) Lanik, step-grandchildren Elijah, Izzy and Asher, step-son Adam Lanik, step-son Alex Lanik and step-daughter Angela (Kyle) Kleven, step-grandchildren Ivan and Avery. Brother Ritch (Vicki) Jacobson, nephew Chris (Stephanie and child Lainey) Jacobson, brother Joe (Lisa) Jacobson and nephews Ryan (Katie) Jacobson (children Connor & Sophie), Josh (Isabella Hayden) Jacobson, Brandon (Anyahe Smith) Jacobson, JoJo Jacobson and Dylan (Jerica Smith) Jacobson. Sister Teresa (Greg) Zaborowski, niece Melissa (Gary) Shields and children Carter and Devin, nephew Sean (Ashley) Zaborowski and children Brinley, Baelyn, Beckette and Bella, sister Carolyn (Steve Kosidowski) Zaborowski, Nephew Brian Zaborowski Jr. and child Brian III, nephew Mitchell (Kassy Kujak) Zaborowski, sister Mary (Mike Berg) Kosidowski,
nephew Conor (Maya Peske) Kosidowski, niece Greer (Blake Kadlec) Kosidowski and niece Sela Kosidowski. Sister-in-law Kathleen Jacobson, niece Jessica (Blake) Darst and children Liam & Sunny.
Cathy wanted to list special friends. Cindy (Dean) Adank, Deb (Grant) Kuchara, Sue (Scott) Schoenack, Joel & Jodi Hennessy, Brian & Wanda Prudoehl, Chena & John Tierney, Brenda (John) Stanton, Rick & Michele Speltz, Deb & Wayne Nesbit, Jeff & Elyse Mueller and James & Kathleen Lanik.
Cathy was preceded in death by father Lyle Jacobson, sister Mary Margaret Jacobson, brother Robert Jacobson, nephew Travis Jacobson, brother-in-law Brian Zaborowski, Sr.; nephew baby Joey and grandniece infant Emma
Visitation will be held Saturday, November 8th, 2025, 3 to 7 p.m. at Fawcett Junker Funeral Home, Winona.
Funeral Mass will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 9th, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Fr. Russ Scepaniak Officiating. A meal will be provided after the mass at The American Legion located at 302 E Sarnia St. in Winona, MN. Placement in a niche at St. Mary’s Cemetery will happen at a later date.
Family requests, if you feel the need, to send memorials to The Crossings Center in Lewiston, MN Services entrusted to Fawcett Junker Funeral Home & Crematory, Winona, MN. www.fawcett-junkerfuneralhome.com
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