Catherine Mary Niga was born November 25, 1855, possibly in Solka or Glitt, Kreis Suczawa, Bukovina, Austrian Empire (Romania). Her parents were Gabriel Niga (born possibly in Frumosu, Bukovina) and Karolina Friedl (born in Woronetz, Kimpolung, Bukovina; died in Gurahumora, Bukovina). Karolina died when Catherine was a baby, so she was raised by an aunt.

On October 2, 1875, Catherine married a Bohemian emigrant, Wenzel Fastner, at Solka, Kreis Suczawa, Bukovina, Austrian Empire. The first 8 of their 12 children were born in Solka, Bukovina: Christophicia, a son (Peter?), Anna, Leopold (Louis), Mary, Josephine, Philomine, and Amelia (Sister Alodia).

The Wenzel and Catherine Fastner family, and Wenzel's parents emigrated to America on June 18, 1887, arriving at the Port of New York.

From New York the Fastner family went to Milwaukee where Wenzel had a tailor shop. The next 2 children were born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Julia, Clara. During this time, Wenzel's mother Magdalena Hany Fastner died and was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Milwaukee. It is unknown when or where the father of Wenzel died, the date is estimated between 1887 to 1895.

The family then moved to Yuma, Yuma County, Colorado from about 1892 to 1895. At the courthouse in Wray, Colorado, is where Wenzel declared his intention to become a citizen on Jan. 5, 1892. The next child was born in Yuma, Colorado: William.

About 1896 to 1897, the family moved back to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for a short time, then moved to a homestead near Milan corners in Johnson Township, Marathon County, Wisconsin.

The last child, Eulalia (Lillie) was born in 1897 and died in 1898 at Athens, Marathon County, Wisconsin.

Obituary of Mrs. Kathryn Fastner, Athens Record (Athens, Marathon County, Wisconsin), July 24, 1941, page 5:

Mrs. Kathryn Mary Fastner, 85, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Jos. Pecher at Milan early Wednesday morning, after a long illness. Funeral services will be held at St. Thomas Catholic church at Milan Friday morning at 9 o'clock by Rev. Raymond Schulz.

The deceased was born in Austria, in that country she was married to Wenzel Fastner, who died in Milan in 1905. They came to America in 1887. She has lived in Milan since 1896.

Surviving her are eight children, 26 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The children are: Mrs. Mary Bauer, Casnovia, Mich., Mrs. Josephine Schops, Portland, Ore., Mrs. Otto Seefeld, Wm. Fastner, Miss Julia Fastner, Milwaukee, Sister M. Aloda, La Crosse, Mrs. Jos. Pecher, Louis Fastner, Milan. Card of Thanks. We wish to thank all who assisted in any way during the illness and... [obituary does not continue]