Kathleen Frances Knab passed peacefully on June 11, 2026, surrounded by the family she loved so deeply. Born on June 24, 1937, in Elmira, New York, to Helen and Francis Affeldt, Kathy lived a life defined by faith, service, humility, and unwavering devotion to her family.

It is nearly impossible to summarize a woman whose greatest accomplishments were found not in recognition or achievement, but in the quiet, consistent way she cared for others every single day.

Kathy lived her Catholic faith fully and faithfully. She prayed the Rosary daily, attended Mass and Adoration whenever possible, and found comfort and purpose in a life centered on God. Her faith was never simply something she believed — it guided every part of how she lived.

She was a woman of discipline, routine, and service. She volunteered at church, helped others whenever she saw a need, and spent much of her life caring for family, friends, neighbors, and anyone who needed a helping hand.

If you knew Kathy, chances are she cooked for you. She was always preparing meals, baking something for someone, dropping off food, inviting people to dinner, or finding quiet ways to care for others. Serving people simply came naturally to her.

Kathy believed in living a humble life and found joy in life's simple pleasures. She loved music, loved to sing, loved nature, enjoyed Disney and Hallmark movies, and treasured simple moments spent with the people she loved most.

One phrase that will forever make our family smile was her favorite saying: "Let's go dinging around." It was Kathy's way of finding joy in ordinary moments and reminding us that life didn't need to be complicated to be beautiful.

She shared a beautiful marriage with her husband, Harold, for more than 65 years. After marrying on July 4, 1959, they moved to Oklahoma in 1961. Together they built a family rooted in love, faith, laughter, and devotion.

Kathy was especially proud of her two children, an adoring daughter-in-law, four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, all of whom brought tremendous joy to her life. Even as dementia slowly took pieces of the woman we knew over recent years, the foundation of who she was never changed: faith, kindness, service, family, and love.

She often reminded us to "Bloom where you are planted," believing deeply that wherever God placed you, there was purpose, goodness, and people to love.

Kathy taught us by example that a life does not need to be extraordinary to be meaningful. A simple life lived with kindness, generosity, humility, and faith is a life beautifully lived.

She is survived by her sister, Julie, and lovingly reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, Harold, her parents, Helen and Francis Affeldt, and brothers, Fran and James.

A Funeral Mass celebrating Kathy's life will be held at 10:30am on June 24, 2026, on what would have been her 89th birthday, at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church.

May she now rest peacefully in the light of the Holy Spirit she trusted so faithfully throughout her life.