Nov. 26, 2016 – West Bend, WI – Kathleen N. Knutson (Nelson), age 86, of West Bend, was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in the town of Polk with her family by her side.
Kathy was born on May 30, 1930 in Kenosha to the late William and Ragnhild (Engstrom) Nelson. She attended local schools and graduated from Bradford High School in 1948. After high school, Kathy worked at the Kenosha National Bank for four years. On June 10, 1950, Kathy married Robert Knutson at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kenosha. In 1952, they moved to Sheboygan for two years while Bob was on active duty in the naval reserve before moving back to Kenosha.
Following Bob’s promotion with WE Energies in 1964, they moved to West Bend where Kathy worked at M&I Bank for 23 years before retiring in 1988. Kathy and Bob then enjoyed many years of travel, visiting 49 states, except Hawaii. They cruised the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, and Alaska. They also visited Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
On their 50th wedding anniversary they traveled back to their family roots in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Kathy was a faithful member at Trinity Lutheran Church in West Bend where she was active in the Dorcas Society. She was also a member of The Order of the Eastern Star. Kathy was adored by her husband, her two sons, her grandsons, and everyone who knew her.
In addition to her parents, Kathy was preceded in death by her younger brother Richard Nelson of Kenosha.
A memorial service in loving memory of Kathy will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2016 at 6:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church (140 N. 7th Ave. West Bend). Visitation will be at the church on Thursday from 4:00 pm until the time of service. Myrhum Patten Miller & Kietzer Funeral Homes