Katherine Becker "Tuttie" Knopp

1928 - 2026

Katherine "Tuttie" Knopp, nee Becker, passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at Brookdale Beckett Meadows assisted living facility in Austin. Katherine was born February 19, 1928, in Fredericksburg, the daughter of Henry and Cora Becker. She married James J. Knopp on November 11, 1950, in St. Mary's Catholic Church; James predeceased her in 2008.

Tuttie, as Katherine was known to her many friends and family, was a devoted wife, mother, and citizen who presided as matriarch over a loving family. She attended St. Mary's Catholic School and was a member of the school band, playing clarinet, graduating in 1946. She was stricken with Polio shortly after graduating, but Tuttie was resilient. After several months at the Warm Springs Rehabilitation facility in Gonzales, Texas, she returned to her beloved Fredericksburg, where she worked for many years as a transcriptionist in a local doctor's office in Fredericksburg, a job which made good use of Tuttie's legendary spelling ability-no one loved a crossword puzzle more. When she met James, nothing would stop her from going dancing with him every weekend-a tradition they kept up throughout their marriage.

Along with her husband, Tuttie was a heartfelt presence in Fredreicksburg for most of her life, serving the community as Treasurer of the St. Ann's Society for many years, and serving with James as a Gillespie County Blood Drive coordinator for 15 years between February 1981 and December 1995. She also helped deliver meals on wheels to those in need once a week for years.

Tuttie was a world traveler, seeking adventure in places as far apart as Alaska and Panama. A visit to Germany, where her family had its roots, was a treasured memory for her. She had a lifelong love for horses; in her final years at Brookdale Becket Meadows, her room could always be identified by a beautiful horse-themed welcome mat.

Tuttie is survived by four daughters and sons-in-law, including Donna and Gary Heimann, Diana and Patrick Bailey, Debbie and Ronney Baethge, and Danette and Jeff Somers. Also surviving are five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Tuttie was preceded in death by her parents, as well as brothers James and Henry and sister Evelyn.

Memorials may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, St. Mary's Catholic School Endowment Fund in Fredericksburg, or St. Mary's Capital Campaign, or to the charity of your choice.

Communion services was held on Tuesday, February 10 at 11:30 a.m. in St. Mary's Catholic Church with Deacon Pat Klein officiating.

Graveside services and entombment will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum.

Rosary was held on Tuesday, February 10 at 11:00 a.m. in Church prior to services.

Visitation for Tuttie Knopp was held on Tuesday, February 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Arrangements are by the Schaetter Funeral Home

Expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.schaetter.com