Peggy Lea Knapp, 69, of Ashton, died Saturday, March 28, 2026, at CHI Health—Creighton University Medical Center Bergan Mercy in Omaha.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, April 6, 2026, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Ashton. The Reverend Alex Borzych celebrated the Mass.

John Maschka was the lector. Lois Maschka and John Hulinsky were the Eucharistic ministers.

John and Jane Maschka and Kirk and Lisa Harrington were the singers. Therese Hulinsky was the pianist.

Selections included “Only In God,” “Loving and Foregiving,” “The Jesus Song,” “One Bread, One Body,” “Song of Farewell,” and “Lead Me, Lord.”

Mike and Cheryl Kosmicki, Rob Piechota, and Craig Kamler were the honorary bearers.

Inurnment was in the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Ashton. A rosary was recited at 10:00 a.m. Monday at the church, prior to the Mass.

Memorials are suggested to the Polish Heritage Center in Ashton.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.

Peggy was born March 11, 1957, in Loup City, the daughter of Philip C. and Phyllis M. (Kaslon) Piechota. She grew up in Ashton, where she attended St. Francis Parochial School and graduated from Loup City High School in 1975. She then attended Kearney State College, earning her bachelor’s degree in 1980.

Peggy worked at various places throughout central Nebraska, including Bethphage Mission in Axtell, North Star Services in Columbus, and Central Nebraska Community Action (CNCS) in Loup City.

She retired in the spring of 2022 and continued to live in Ashton.

Peggy was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church and volunteered at the Polish Heritage Center in Ashton.

Peggy was a very positive person who always looked for humor in everything and the best in everyone. She loved her grandchildren dearly and staying in touch with her family. She also enjoyed listening to music and watching old movies, with “The Sound of Music” being one of her favorites.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Holly and James Olson of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; two grandchildren, Grady and Madelyn Olson; her mother, Phyllis Piechota of Ashton; sister, Pam Piechota of Lincoln; brother and sister-inlaw, Patrick and Kelly Piechota of Brenham, Texas; and many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Peggy was preceded in death by her father, Philip Piechota; and her grandparents.

Condolences and memories may be shared with Peggy’s family by visiting www. petersfuneralhome.net.