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Timeline for Kathryn Virginia Knak
Born: July 16, 1948
Died: May 18, 2024
Kathryn Virginia Knak of Tucson, Arizona passed away on May 18, 2024, with her loving husband David by her side after having fought a courageous 8-year battle with advanced lung cancer. Kathy was born on July 16, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois to her parents Frederick and Virginia Howard(deceased).
Kathy graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and an MBA in Safety/Risk Management and had a successful 26-year career as the Corporate Officer for Emergency Preparedness Safety and Environmental Health at University Medical Center (UMC) Tucson.
Kathy also served for 26 years with the United States Army / Reserve in Tucson retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Kathy was a huge University of Arizona Football fan and a “Cheese Head” (by marriage) Green Bay Packer fan as her husband David is from Wisconsin. She was a special lady to us all.
Kathy is survived by her husband of 40 years David, whom she married on February 29, 1984 (Leap Day). Brothers: Tom Howard of Arlington, Texas, Jim (Maureen McEnroe) Howard of San Jose, California. Brother in Laws: Dwight (Lynn) Knak of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Dan (Susan) Knak of Gilbert, Arizona. Along with many nieces, nephews, and far too many friends to even list. She will be dearly missed.
Kathy’s Interment with full Military Honors will take place on November 5, 2024 at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Marana, at 10:00am.
Kathy was one of the most accomplished women I ever met. Integrity, intelligence, confidence and a strong sense of service to others were her creed. These were only some of the reasons I asked Kathy to preside over my retirement from the Air Force. She took our sometimes juvenile antics in stride and never lost respect for our true character. I salute you Lt Col Kathryn Knak one last time. We will miss you. With gratitude and love, Kent and Teresa Seufert
Dave I am very sorry for loss, My deepest sympathies to you. Hugs to you. Take Care. Karen Simmons
I have so many amazing memories of Aunt Kathy and so many more amazing memories BECAUSE of her too! We got to visit Arizona every year for Easter and it was always my favorite time of the year to see family we didn’t get to see often. Then when I was 10 years old, Uncle Dave and Aunt Kathy asked if I wanted to fly by myself to Arizona for thanksgiving and to go to the U of A Vs ASU football game. Arizona won 28-27!!!! Ontiwaun Carter got injured and left in an ambulance and got taken to University Hospital. Her first thought was to call in to her work during the game and to check for updates on him while the game was going on. Or when we were out there for Arizona Wisconsin football and it rained and rained and flooded areas. So much she had to go into work at night after the game. I’ll always remember uncle Dave kicking the table in the living room at 3 AM trying to get to the phone! She was always looking for ways to help people she loved and people she didn’t even know. They would fly me out every year for the game for the next 6 or so years. There was nothing better than November every year for my big trip! Getting to stay in Tucson was the BEST! I will cherish every single memory with her and my love for the Arizona Wildcats will make sure her legacy lives on forever! Silas will be the next Wildcat fan in line and I can’t wait to tell him stories of how intense Aunt Kathy would get during games and how much she loved the U of A! Bear Down forever! We love you so much!!
Kathy was fondly referred to as KK by her co-workers at UMC. We have been U of A football season ticket holders for the 40 years we were married. I will miss being with her at the tailgates and sitting next to me at the games. Kathy was a true wildcat fan and was very vocal at the games and knew all the rules. We did go on some memorable trips together. Hawaii, Cancun, Cozumel, St. Thomas Virgin Islands, Alaskan Cruise, Green Bay Packer football games at Lambeau field to name a few. I will continue to keep the faith, be courageous and strong. It's what KK would want me to do.
I had the good fortune to meet Kathy when I joined the Army Reserve in Tucson, as a young nurse with no military experience. She started out as a mentor. She was wise, kind and calm always. In the many years since then, I have seen her take on some of the most difficult and consequential jobs on the public sector. She had such a capacity to get things done with quiet strength and humor. Her unwavering loyalty and love for Dave, her family and so many friends never waned even as she fought her last battle. What an extraordinary woman. Her faith gave her courage and comfort, and that was an inspiration to many. She will be dearly missed.
You turned my life around the day we meet 41 years ago. I'll miss our conversations after watching the nightly news and your sense of humor. We lived a life that was ended far too soon prior to our many planned travels in retirement. You'll always have a special place in my heart ❤️ until we meet again. All my love, Dave
Date: Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Time: 10:00 am
Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery Marana
Address:
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Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Marana Mortuary & Cemetery.
Kathy was one of the most accomplished women I ever met. Integrity, intelligence, confidence and a strong sense of service to others were her creed. These were only some of the reasons I asked Kathy to preside over my retirement from the Air Force. She took our sometimes juvenile antics in stride and never lost respect for our true character. I salute you Lt Col Kathryn Knak one last time. We will miss you. With gratitude and love, Kent and Teresa Seufert
Dave I am very sorry for loss, My deepest sympathies to you. Hugs to you. Take Care. Karen Simmons
I have so many amazing memories of Aunt Kathy and so many more amazing memories BECAUSE of her too! We got to visit Arizona every year for Easter and it was always my favorite time of the year to see family we didn’t get to see often. Then when I was 10 years old, Uncle Dave and Aunt Kathy asked if I wanted to fly by myself to Arizona for thanksgiving and to go to the U of A Vs ASU football game. Arizona won 28-27!!!! Ontiwaun Carter got injured and left in an ambulance and got taken to University Hospital. Her first thought was to call in to her work during the game and to check for updates on him while the game was going on. Or when we were out there for Arizona Wisconsin football and it rained and rained and flooded areas. So much she had to go into work at night after the game. I’ll always remember uncle Dave kicking the table in the living room at 3 AM trying to get to the phone! She was always looking for ways to help people she loved and people she didn’t even know. They would fly me out every year for the game for the next 6 or so years. There was nothing better than November every year for my big trip! Getting to stay in Tucson was the BEST! I will cherish every single memory with her and my love for the Arizona Wildcats will make sure her legacy lives on forever! Silas will be the next Wildcat fan in line and I can’t wait to tell him stories of how intense Aunt Kathy would get during games and how much she loved the U of A! Bear Down forever! We love you so much!!
Kathy was fondly referred to as KK by her co-workers at UMC. We have been U of A football season ticket holders for the 40 years we were married. I will miss being with her at the tailgates and sitting next to me at the games. Kathy was a true wildcat fan and was very vocal at the games and knew all the rules. We did go on some memorable trips together. Hawaii, Cancun, Cozumel, St. Thomas Virgin Islands, Alaskan Cruise, Green Bay Packer football games at Lambeau field to name a few. I will continue to keep the faith, be courageous and strong. It's what KK would want me to do.
I had the good fortune to meet Kathy when I joined the Army Reserve in Tucson, as a young nurse with no military experience. She started out as a mentor. She was wise, kind and calm always. In the many years since then, I have seen her take on some of the most difficult and consequential jobs on the public sector. She had such a capacity to get things done with quiet strength and humor. Her unwavering loyalty and love for Dave, her family and so many friends never waned even as she fought her last battle. What an extraordinary woman. Her faith gave her courage and comfort, and that was an inspiration to many. She will be dearly missed.
You turned my life around the day we meet 41 years ago. I'll miss our conversations after watching the nightly news and your sense of humor. We lived a life that was ended far too soon prior to our many planned travels in retirement. You'll always have a special place in my heart ❤️ until we meet again. All my love, Dave
Marana Mortuary & Cemetery
Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Marana Mortuary & Cemetery.