Katherine Anne Knutson, 72, of Tampa, Florida, died Thursday, Nov. 9, at her home in Warrensburg. A memorial service will be held in Tampa, Florida, in the near future.

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 Master in Education from the University of Southern Florida in Tampa. She also received her Bachelor of Arts degree at Stetson University in Deland, Florida. She was united in marriage to Carl H. Knutson on Feb. 25, 1967, in Tampa.

The following year, the couple moved to Eglin AFB, Florida, 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 in Nebraska, where Katherine resumed teaching, mostly at rural schools. Later, the family relocated to Belvidere, Illinois. 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; and Kassaundra Knutson-Zawalich and husband, Eric, of Riverview, Florida; and four grandchildren, Gabriella “Ella” McIntyre of Gainesville, Florida; Timothy O’Connor of Tampa, Florida; Bridget O’Connor of Tampa, Florida; and Colton Zawalich of Riverview, Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Arrangements entrusted to Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg. Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net.