Katherine Anne Knutson, 72 of Tampa, Florida passed away Thursday, November 9, 2017 at her home in Warrensburg.

Katherine was born April 25, 1945 at Jacksonville Naval Station, Florida, the daughter of Francis H. and Ruth E. (Burdett) Thomas. She graduated from Hillsborough High School in Tampa and she received her Masters in Education from University of Southern Florida in Tampa. She also received her BA degree at Stetson University in Deland, FL. She was united in marriage to Carl H. Knutson on February 25, 1967 in Tampa.

The following year, the couple moved to Eglin AFB, FL due to her husband's Air Force career. Next, they relocated to Kadena AFB at Okinawa, Japan where Katherine taught for five years. When they returned stateside, they moved to Offutt, AFB, Nebraska where Katherine resumed teaching, mostly at rural schools. Later, the family relocated to Belvidere, IL. Next, the couple moved to Warrensburg. While living in Missouri, Katherine taught at both Kingsville and Leeton schools.

She then returned with Carl to Tampa to be closer to her daughters and grandchildren. She taught at Foster Elementary in Tampa and she eventually retired while in Tampa. She was a lover of all animals, especially horses. She also was a musician, playing piano and violin and she was an avid photographer and loved raising flowers.

Survivors include her husband, Carl; two daughters: Escha O'Connor and husband, Sean of Tampa, FL and Kassaundra Knutson-Zawalich and husband, Eric of Riverview, FL; and four grandchildren: Gabriella "Ella" McIntyre of Gainesville, FL; Timothy O'Connor of Tampa, FL; Bridget O'Connor of Tampa, FL and Colton Zawalich of Riverview, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A Memorial Service will be held in Tampa, Florida in the near future.

Arrangements entrusted to Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg.

Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net