Catherine M. Royalty

Catherine M. Royalty (nee Bilicki), 66, of Palmyra, WI passed away peacefully during the early morning hours of Friday, February 6, 2026 at Zilber Family Hospice with her loving family by her side.

Catherine was born on June 21, 1959 in Milwaukee the daughter of Francis (Frank) Bilicki and Jacquelyn (Weber) Kezman. She was a 1977 graduate of New Berlin West High School. Cathy worked in the family business, Kezman Transportation for her entire working career alongside her beloved step father, business partner and best friend Steve, starting at the age of 16. Her strong work ethic and attention to detail was a valuable asset to the business and Cathy was a crucial part of the business’s continued success. When Cathy was not working, she was outside enjoying nature. She owned a small horse farm in Palmyra and spent the majority of her days caring for the farm and hiking the beautiful Kettle Moraine. Preserving the world around her and caring for its inhabitants was one of her top priorities in life and something she has passed on to her nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She adopted countless pets and found loving homes for so many more. Cathy will also be remembered for her deep love of her family. She would do anything for those she loved. She was a devoted daughter, sister, Auntie and friend. Some of her best times were spent with loved ones playing games such as Trivial Pursuit, watching Jeopardy, or sharing her cooking talents and introducing her family to her latest vegetarian recipe. She showed her love through cooking and would always make extra special dishes to nourish the people she loved. An eternal optimist, Cathy was active, funny, smart, and loyal and she will be deeply missed but forever remembered by those she leaves behind.

She is survived by: her mother and best friend, Jacquelyn Kezman of Eagle; her siblings, Laura (Daniel) Strackbein of Vernon, Joseph (Holly) Bilicki of Brookfield, Gerald Bilicki of Waukesha, and Roger (Anne) Bilicki of Mukwonago; her dear nieces and nephews, Alicia (Zach) Schuster, Haley Bilicki, Joe (Chas) Strackbein, Kelsey Bilicki, Rob (Brittany) Strackbein and Josh Templeton; and her great-nieces and nephews, Ava, farm buddy Otto, Loretta, Oliver, Nellie and Miles. Cathy is further survived by her devoted friend, Jennifer Bilicki of Waukesha, her dear pets, Oak, Tia, Asha, Jameson, Maia, Chicken, Frankie, Ziggy, Jordy, Cash, a number of aunts, uncles, other relatives, loyal employees and long time friends.

Cathy is preceded in death by her father, Francis (Frank) Bilicki, niece, Baby Catherine Strackbein, devoted step-father, Stephen (Steve) Kezman, and many beloved pets.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Cathy’s honor may be made to Hoovers Hause All Dog Rescue or the Southern Kettle Moraine Horse Trails Association.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thank you to Dr. Thompson of Froedtert Hospital and Aurora Zilber Family Hospice for the wonderful care they provided Cathy.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Cathy with Fr. Jordan Berghouse of St. Theresa Catholic Parish presiding. Cathy will be laid to rest in St. Theresa Catholic Cemetery in Eagle, Wisconsin.

A Celebration of Cathy’s Life will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 1:00-5:00 PM at Eagle Springs Golf Resort (W352 S10355 Tuohy Rd, Eagle, WI 53119). Food, beverages and music provided. Please bring your best "Cathy Story" to share!

Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Eagle and Palmyra, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence please visit gibsonfuneral.com

We will remember her by her mantra, “She who runs with wolves.”

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