White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

INDEPENDENCE – Katharine J. (Klotzbach) Risk, 95 years old, of Independence, IA, died of natural causes on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence.

Memorial Services will be 10:30 a.m. – Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at First Presbyterian Church, in Independence, followed by burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Independence.

Celebration of Life Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Monday, November 27^th at White Funeral Home in Independence.

Katharine Janet Klotzbach was born December 31, 1927, in Independence, IA, the daughter of George John Klotzbach and Eva May (Stumma) Klotzbach. She graduated high school as Valedictorian from Independence in 1945 and was voted the Homecoming Queen along with Donald L. Risk, who was voted King. She went on to Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO, and then transferred to the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA. While at Iowa she was a member of the Tri Delta sorority and a bagpiper and performed with the Scottish Highlanders. Kate graduated from Iowa in 1949 with the designation of magna cum laude and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.

Katharine married Donald Louis Risk in 1949 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence. They made their home in Independence where they purchased Buchanan County Title in 1952 and the Buchanan County Abstract Company in 1957. Today, Buchanan County Abstract continues to be family owned and operated. In 1963, the couple moved their family to Arizona and raised their children between Scottsdale, AZ, and Prescott, AZ. The couple would later divorce.

Kate summered in Independence and eventually permanently moved back to Iowa. She was very involved in the community whether in Arizona or Iowa. She was a member of the Valley Presbyterian Church in Paradise Valley, AZ, and the First Presbyterian Church in Independence. She enjoyed playing bridge, tennis, and golf; and she was a member of the Arizona Country Club in Phoenix, and the Wapsipinicon Golf and Country Club in Independence. Kate was a member of PEO International in Independence, and being an alumnus of the University of Iowa, she was an avid Hawkeye fan – attending countless games at Kinnick Stadium and traveling to numerous bowl games over the years with friends and family. Kate’s poise and grace will be greatly missed.

Katharine is survived by one son, William (Vicky) Risk of Tempe, AZ; one daughter, Janet (Mark) Kohlmeyer of Guttenberg, IA; eight grandchildren, Heather (Risë Pavey) Risk, Alexander (Lindsay) Risk, Louis (Katya) Risk, Joseph Risk, Kaitlyn Walker, Michelle (Zach) Conover, Carson Kohlmeyer, Bethany Kohlmeyer; seven great grandchildren, Gabriella, Grace, Raquel, Leon, Milo, Olivia, Mcoy; one sister-in-law, Mary A. Klotzbach of Independence; former daughter-in-law, Diana Risk; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; one son, John A. Risk; one granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth Risk; and her brother William G. Klotzbach.

Memorials may be directed to the church.

Online condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com
White Funeral Home, Independence, IA, is in charge of arrangements.