Kathleen "Kathy" Knutson

Kathleen M. “Kathy” Knutson, age 81 of Melrose, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, November 21, 2025 at Cura Care Center in Melrose, Minnesota.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 29 at Harvest Church in Freeport with Rev. Denny Curran officiating. Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Melrose.

Visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Kathleen Margrethe Schwandt was born on August 26, 1944 to Norman and Beatrice (Monson) Schwandt in Paynesville, Minnesota. She graduated from Paynesville High School in 1962. On March 6, 1965, Kathy married Charles Gordon Knutson at the Assembly of God Church in Paynesville. The couple made their home in Rochester, Minnesota where they lived for three years. Following Charles’ passing in February 1968, Kathy returned to Paynesville to be closer to family.

In Paynesville, Kathy devoted many years to her work at a sports apparel company, which she eventually managed. She took great pride in her craft, sewing game jerseys for the Minnesota North Stars, the U.S. Hockey Team, the Minnesota Twins, the University of Minnesota Gophers, and many others. After retiring in 2015, Kathy moved to Melrose to be near her daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Kathy is survived by her daughter, Danelle (Steve) Norris of Melrose; grandchildren D’Andra (Nathan) Primus of Melrose, Rachel (Andrew) Everson of Spicer, and Jared (Rachel) Norris of Long Prairie; great-grandchildren, Malachi and Eleanor Piche, Kathreen and Isaac Primus, Riley, Olivia, and Wyatt Everson, and Oliver and Lillian Norris, siblings, Ken (Lord) Schwandt of St. Cloud, Keith (Leah) Schwandt of Mayfield, Kansas, Karlene (Rodney) Gayle of Richmond, Rose Anne (Val) Parks of Paynesville, Dennis (Patti) Schwandt of St. Cloud, Lynda (David) Johnson of Forman, North Dakota, Richard (Mary) Schwandt of Glen Flora, Wisconsin, Steven (Mary Pat) Schwandt of Sauk Centre, and Marilee (Dalon) Janssen of Brooklyn Park; along with many cherished nieces and nephews.

Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Knutson; her son, Tom; sister, Diane Decowski; and parents, Norman and Beatrice Schwandt.

Kathy’s greatest joy in life was her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved the Lord and lived her life the best way she knew how.