Jeff Feste

Jeffrey Feste, 71, of Byron, Illinois passed away peacefully surrounded by his family after a courageous cancer battle. Jeff’s life was lived in the service of his faith, family and his craft – landscaping.

Jeff was born in Sioux City, Iowa to Arne and Helen Ann (Krage) Feste. With a full house of 6 siblings on Jackson Street, the stories are endless. Every summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the memories were made at Lake Okoboji - including famous water-skiing tricks. Jeff also developed a real love for the mountains through family vacations to Colorado with the whole family packed into the station wagon. This love grew over the years with cousin and college friend ski trips. His hard work ethic was formed from an early age working at the veterinary clinic of Dr. Ken Roche. He also loved spending time with his cousins on the farm, which established an early and lasting affinity for horses and cowboying. A product of Catholic Schools, starting with the nuns at Blessed Sacrament all the way through Heelan High School, Jeff’s lifelong devotion and strength of faith were formed at an early age and truly served as the foundation of his family life. Jeff was a proud graduate of Iowa State University (and made sure we all knew where he stood whenever they came up against the University of Iowa).

Following college, Jeff worked for International Harvester which brought him to northern Illinois - one step closer to the love of his life, Kathy Cacciatore. Through frequent visits to Cacciatore’s Byron Food Mart, Jeff started to make an impression on his future bride - and her mom and matchmaker, Wanda, helped cultivate the spark. Other sightings during Sunday mass at St. Mary Catholic Church in Byron, helped bring the couple together.

On May 30, 1981, Jeff and Kathy were married there at St. Mary. Together, they welcomed three children, establishing a family foundation rich in tradition and love. Raising Beth, Jeff Jr., and Jordan in Byron, the years were full of family dinners, night swims over at Nana and Nanoo’s, coaching the kids’ basketball teams, teaching them how to snow and water ski, and Forced Feste Family Fun adventures. It was a great life.

In Summer of 1984, Jeff and Kathy started Feste & Co., a landscaping business that grew to design, build and maintain beautiful yards for homes and businesses over the next 42-years. Jeff decided to retire in the Fall of 2025. Jeff was truly proud of the work he and his team helped bring to life, and the many, many loyal clients and friends they made over the years.

In the “off season”, Jeff had an amazing talent for building and woodwork - from doll houses, play houses, bunk beds and furniture for his kids and grandkids, to kitchen remodels and room additions. His latest project was supervising Jordan in the construction of a pergola at Jordan and Elizabeth’s home. The winters also gave Jeff and Kathy the chance to explore the American West by visiting ski destinations for a few weeks every winter. It was a time they always looked so forward to.

Jeff loved watching his grandchildren running their little dump trucks up the paths in his backyard and playing in the fountain. He had many extra helpers when they came to visit. Together, they all also loved piling into the family room for a good Hallmark movie. He was the epitome of a Grandpa. The love he had for his grandkids was boundless and was fully reciprocated. He was truly the apple of his grandkids’ eyes.

Jeff was a devoted member of the St. Mary Catholic Church community in Byron - always lending time and treasure when called upon.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Kathryn Cacciatore Feste, and their children: Elizabeth (Adam) McCostlin, Evanston, Illinois; Jeffrey (Taylor) Feste, Nashville, Tennessee; and Jordan (Elizabeth) Feste, Geneva, Illinois. Their grandchildren: William and Merideth McCostlin; Theo and Shepherd Feste; Olivia and Eloise Feste. Their siblings and their spouses: Diane and Ray Thomas, Krage and Teresa Feste, Liz and Mike Rickert, Scott and Nancy Feste, Kathy and Kevin Heaton, Dan Feste, Peter Cacciatore, Cynthia Kennay, and Sharon and Terry Tamanauskas. As well as numerous nieces and nephews who were dear friends.

Jeff was predeceased by his parents, Arne and Helen Ann Feste, in-laws, Peter and Wanda Cacciatore, brother Douglas Feste, and brother-in-law John Kennay.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, September 8 from 4 to 7 p.m., at St. Mary Catholic Church, 226 East 2nd St, Byron, Illinois, with the rosary recited at 6:30 p.m. Christian funeral mass will be held Wednesday, September 9 at 11 a.m., also at St. Mary with Father Mio Pavino celebrating. For those who are unable to join in person, a live stream will be available. Luncheon to follow at Jarret Prairie Center, Byron.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorial donations can be made to Serenity Hospice (Oregon, Illinois) or Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago, Illinois) - where Jeff was under the best care the last several months. 

Feste Funeral Mass Live Stream