In Memory of Katherine A. Knutson
Katherine Anne Knutson, age 76 of Clear Lake, WI passed away unexpectedly at her home on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
Katherine was born on December 19, 1948 in Canby, MN, the daughter of Aaron & Elaine (Halvorson) Hearnen. She grew up in Canby until 1960 when the family moved to Marshall, MN where she graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1966. Kathy, being the third oldest of 11 siblings often found herself caring for her younger siblings, which brought her much joy. It has been said that Kathy set an example for her siblings, moving to Minneapolis & working in an office in the IDS tower downtown & living in a dorm downtown. Through some mutual friends, in 1968, Kathy met Craige L. Knutson, and after a short courtship, they became engaged and then married on June 6, 1970 at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall, MN. Craige & Kathy lived in Minneapolis for a short period, establishing themselves before deciding to move to Clayton, Wisconsin, making their home on a farm and raising 3 daughters, Cara, Tricia & Stephanie and later their granddaughter, Alexandria (Ali). Kathy was always working, farming, gardening, procuring a perfect lawn, and providing a welcoming home for all of her family to gather at. She was a devoted mother and grandmother.
In addition to taking care of her family, doing chores & tending to her home, Kathy started working in Child Support at the Polk County Government Center, later switching offices and becoming the deputy treasurer. After selling the family farm in 2000, Kathy & Craige divorced and Kathy bought a house in Turtle Lake where her & Ali made their home for the next 20 years. Due to her strong work ethic and dedication to providing a home, she began working at Walmart in St. Croix Falls in 2007, in addition to working at the county until she officially retired from the county in 2010. She continued to work part-time at Walmart for another decade. Kathy had a strong calling to the Church throughout her life and attended many masses throughout the years at various local Catholic churches, but upon selling her home in Turtle Lake and moving to Clear Lake in 2021, she became a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Amery, WI. In her spare time, Kathy could be found gardening, tending to her many house plants, watching the Green Bay Packers or the Minnesota Twins, shopping any chance she got, and caring for her Shit Zhu, Isabelle, whom she adored. She especially loved spending time with her 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren and always had little treats and toys ready for the kids.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Aaron & Elaine Hearnen; brothers, Steven, Timothy & Michael Hearnen; & sisters, Anne Hearnen & Mary Carey.
She is survived by her Daughters, Cara (Jason) Klatt of River Falls, WI, Tricia Knutson (Brian) of Amery, WI & Stephanie (Mike) Norris of Clear Lake, WI; her grandchildren, Alexandria Knutson, Shelby Antley, Brett Kerr, Earl Norris, Brandon Kerr, Kelly Hayman, and Kayla Klatt; her Sisters: Susan Lindberg, Karen (Juan) Rivera, Joan McCombs, Laurie Koenig; her brother, Robert Hearnen & many more Relatives, Family & Friends.
There will be a Private Memorial Service at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Amery, WI with burial at a later date.
Last Update: Jan 26, 2025 11:46 am CST