Catherine Ann Adamski

Catherine Ann Adamski, age 70, of Rochester, Minnesota, passed away on May 18, 2026, at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Methodist Campus, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

Catherine, who went by “Cat,” was born on March 3, 1956, in Edgar, Wisconsin, the proud daughter of Felix and Agnes (Schueller) Adamski. She grew up completing early morning chores around her parents’ dairy farm, spending time with her large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins, and being outside with her five “ABC” siblings - Al, Bev, Dar, Evy, and Fred.

Cat was an avid reader as a young girl, especially loving the Sherlock Holmes, Trixie Belden, and Mr. Revere and I books. This passion continued throughout her life and showed through her dedication to lifelong learning - graduating as valedictorian from Edgar High School in 1974, earning her B.B.A. in General Business-Computer Center Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, her M.S. in Computer and Information Science from Dartmouth, and her Ph.D. in Operations & Management Science from the University of Minnesota.

Cat had a brilliant mind and achieved many professional accolades, but was humble about her academic and career successes. She worked in computational queueing methods for capacity planning, among other areas, and for prestigious institutions including Bank of America, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and USAA. Cat also was an instructor at the University of Minnesota, had several published papers and won numerous accolades throughout her career. She spoke fluent French and called many places home throughout her life, including London, Beijing, San Francisco, and San Antonio, before retiring at 50 to Orrington, Maine. In her retirement, Cat enjoyed fixing up her country home, gardening, baking, and exploring the areas she lived including frequent visits to Canada. More recently she moved back to the Midwest to Rochester, Minnesota to be closer to her sisters and extended family.

Cat enjoyed listening to and playing music, including the guitar, piano, flute, and ukulele. She loved desserts, especially her mom’s homemade cherry pie and any dark chocolate - whether it was a simple chocolate bar or a chocolate croissant. For the extended Adamski Christmas gatherings, she was always first to offer to make the family’s favorite frosted sugar cookies. Cat always kept up with current events, reading The New York Times, local newspapers, and watching the latest political news. Her family and friends will remember her for her varied interests, deep faith, dry sense of humor, and dedication to the people and activities she loved most.

Cat is survived by her sisters, Bev (Joe) Hildebrandt, Darlene “Dar” (Tony) Kramer, and Evy (David) Deininger; her sister-in-law, Mary Adamski; her maternal aunts, Jeannie Heidmann and Sandy Schueller; her paternal aunts, Alvina Winistorfer and Judy Adamski; her lifelong friends Judy (Heil) Huppert and Nancy Brereton; her seven nieces, four nephews, four great-nieces, and six great-nephews; and many cousins and extended family members. Cat, who grew up Catholic and believed in eternal life, was reunited in Heaven with her dad, Felix; her mom, Agnes (who she affectionately called “Ma”); her brothers, Al and Fred; and her nephews, Craig and Kevin.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Edgar Area Education Foundation, an organization that supports music, drama, and enhanced learning programs in the Edgar area schools.

Edgar Area Education Foundation, Inc. c/o District Administrator 203 Birch Street, PO Box 92 Edgar, WI 54426

The family would like to thank the Oncology and Patient Care Units at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Methodist campus, for their care and support.

Cat will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her sisters, extended family, and friends.