Kathleen Ann Knutson

Kathleen Ann Knutson, 75, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at her home in Eden Prairie.  

Kathy was born to John and Agnes (Budde) Lynch on Jan. 9, 1948, in Shakopee. She was raised in Shakopee and graduated from Shakopee High School in 1966, where shortly after, she met the love of her life, Gary Knutson. They married on July 15, 1967, and had one daughter, Jennifer, and two sons, Erik and Brian. 

After brief homesteads in Minnesota and North Dakota, Gary’s occupation brought the family to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where Kathy made a commitment to continue her secondary education and graduated from Augustana College in 1989.

In 1992, she received her master of science degree at South Dakota State University. Shortly thereafter, in 1995, she completed her academic requirements for the post-graduate program at the College of St. Catherine in nursing for preparation as an adult nurse practitioner. Her career in nursing led her to take focused and specialty care positions in hematology-oncology at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center in Sioux Falls and the Minneapolis VA Medical Center when returning to Minnesota. At both positions, she started and promoted hospice programs and facilities to provide compassionate care for patients in the last phases of an incurable disease so that they may live as fully and comfortably as possible with their family members close by. 

Kathy was quick to give a helping hand to those in need most and many times complimented freely to make whomever she newly met, feel at ease. Quite often, we heard Kathy referred to as the “angel” or “miracle worker” that gave their loved family member the dignity and comfort they wanted at their time of passing. She always put the needs of others before her own, a genuine caregiver. Over the years, she was a very active parishioner and member at her church and served as a eucharistic minister for hospitalized patients. Kathy was always reaching out to those in need, and it was truly what made her happy in life. Although it was an extremely difficult decision, Kathy retired from her nursing career at the VA in April of 2016. 

Kathy adored her family, close friends, and grandchildren. Gary, her constant companion until his passing in 2008, was her partner in many early travel adventures, and of course, as extremely patient parents and grandparents. Kathy poured endless amounts of love into her children and then continued to pour that love into her four grandchildren. Her never-ending energy was awe-inspiring. If there was ever a hockey, volleyball, softball, baseball, lacrosse game, or figure skating program on the schedule, near or far, she wanted to know where she needed to be so she could be in the front row and be the biggest cheerleader for them all.

Grateful for having shared her life are daughter, Jennifer Knutson (Jill) of Minnetonka; son Erik Knutson and grandchildren Jack and Katie of Burnsville; son Brian (Mary) Knutson and granddaughters Madilynn and Lauren of Shakopee; brother, Kevin (Rosemary) Lynch of Fall Creek, Wisconsin as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, God children and friends. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Gary. 

Tentative service arrangements:

The family will greet friends on Sunday, July 30, 2023, at a visitation held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Huber Funeral Home (Eden Prairie Chapel), 16394 Glory Lane, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 31, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Shakopee, with burial at Shakopee Catholic Cemetery and reception at St. Marks Catholic Church, Shakopee, following.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Avera In-Home Hospice (Sioux Falls, South Dakota), Minneapolis VA Health Care System (Hospice) or The PROP Shop in Eden Prairie, where Kathy frequently volunteered after she retired.