Catherine Kay Knapp
Catherine Kay (Kubicek) Knapp dedicated mother, wife, and dear friend to many passed away on December 14, 2022, at the age of 54.
Cathy was born on April 8, 1968, in Lincoln, NE to Elmer and Myra (Haba) Kubicek. She spent a happy childhood playing with her sisters and neighborhood friends, reading novels about horses for hours and hours during the summers, and being very studious during the school year. She kept a dictionary on the bed ready for any new words she came across!
In grade school she played the piano, in middle school she added the clarinet and in high school, she was in the marching and symphonic bands.
At the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, she received a bachelor’s degree in Business/Accounting in 1992 and after graduating stayed in the accounting field for thirty years.
At university, she met Lance Knapp in January, 1989. They were married on January 4, 1992 (his lucky day!) Their beautiful daughter, Maddie, was born in 2002.
Cathy loved playing volleyball, starting with indoor volleyball in middle school, adding sand volleyball in college, and playing on various local and church teams for many years with Lance, her dad, and friends. She was a big fan and booster of Nebraska volleyball and volunteered to make scrapbooks commemorating the careers of two players.
Cathy took up pottery for herself and scrapbooking with her mom and friends. As an avid gardener, she tended veggie, herbs, and flower plots, with the flowers being her favorites. There were always snapdragons, coxcombs, and bleeding hearts growing wildly in the gardens surrounding the house.
Despite being a woman of few words, she made friends easily with her kindness and caring manner. She was selfless, cheering others on quietly with an easy smile that made her friends and family adore her. She was always ready to try something new and dinner or coffee with her was something everyone enjoyed. She will be missed more than words can say.
Cathy was preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Diane Knapp. She is survived by her loving husband, Lance, her daughter, Maddie, her parents, Elmer and Myra Kubicek, her sisters, Karen (Dan) Meyer and Connie (Mehdi) Hizem, her father-in-law Paul Knapp and his wife Barb, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who loved her dearly.
At Cathy’s request, a Celebration of Life & Memorial Service will be held on her birthday, Saturday, April 8, 2023, when she hopes the flowers will be blooming. Family and friends are invited to come and share fond memories and stories. Information about time and location will be forthcoming.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Cathy’s name to the Lincoln Cat House, her favorite charity.
The family would also like to thank the medical staff at Cancer Partners of Nebraska and the teams at HoriSun and The Monarch for their compassionate care.
To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
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Accreditations
Condolences for Catherine Kay Knapp
Lance & Maddie,
We are so very sorry to learn of Cathy’s passing. The above narrative captures the true essence of Cathy. Our condolences to you, Maddie and her family. We are praying for peace and comfort for both of you. Love, Ross and Phyllis LeGrande
Cathy Knapp was a wonderful sister. She was a wonderful Aunt to her nieces and nephews. A very kind and caring person to all. We are all very sorry for your loss.
Daniel, Karen, Abigail, Alena, Andrew and Aaren Meyer
Catherine Kay (Kubicek)Knapp. Cathy was born April 8,1968 at Lincoln General (Bryan) Hospital. She was the first born daughter to Elmer and Myra (Haba) Kubicek. She was a very good baby with lots of cooing and smiles at a very early age. As she grew she enjoyed being read to. Soon she was enjoying story hour at Belmont Library. Just like her mother she soon read all of the Children’s books. Then she visited kindergarten class with her mother before her family decided she would attend Trinity Lutheran Elementary School. She was impressed that the teacher gave her the same work sheet as the other students. She took piano lessons and played through junior high school which led to playing the clarinet in band. She enjoyed wearing the clothes her mother made for her and even spending several summers sewing and cooking in 4-H.
Speaking of summers, she loved going to Worlds of Fun in KC, and especially Oceans of Fun, she was like a fish in water all day. She attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln completing her accounting degree. She used her degree in several employment positions. She met Lance Alan Knapp at UNL. Later they married on January 4, 1992. Their daughter Maddie Nicole was born in 2002. Cathy enjoyed scrapbooking events with her mother, organizing and recording family history. She was a very caring daughter when her dad had a heart problem. She stuck with him for six days in the hospital and weeks afterward. She made sure I was taking my meds and taking me to the doctor.
Her parents will always love her will miss her greatly.
Dear Lance and Maddie,
We were so sad to hear the news about Cathy. We are so very sorry. Hopefully, we can come to her celebration on her birthday. Thinking of you.
Love, Uncle Doug and Aunt Jana
Lance and Maddie, we are so sad that you have lost one of the lights in your lives. But Cathy’s light is so strong and loving and sincere it will always be there to strengthen you and to share with others. May Cathy’s honesty and clarity about right and wrong, good and bad continue to guide your lives. May you always feel her love and be guided by her wisdom. We miss our friend, but are thankful for the time she brightened and improved our lives. — Ken Mason and Gary Kebbel
My condolences to Lance, Maddie, and our entire family. My heart hurts for us all. Cathy was such a kind and loving big sister, sister-in-law, and aunt. She put up with all my ‘younger sister’ silliness and immature pranks growing up. She was always willing to forgive and let me try again.
Cathy has always been a big part of ‘coming home’ for us and she showed love and concern for our kids and family unconditionally. We truly had someone special in Cathy! Lance and Maddie, we are so sorry for your loss. Someone who shared so much life with you will always be part of you. We are here to support you, we love you and we will celebrate our beloved Cathy and keep her forever in our hearts.