Karen Knutson Roysdon, aged 88, died peacefully on December 18th, 2024, with family by her side. She was born in Norfolk, VA, on March 25, 1936 to Dr. John W. Knutson and Ethel Trask Knutson. Karen grew up in Chevy Chase, MD, and graduated from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in 1953. She attended Duke University in Durham, NC, 1953 – 1955, where she was on the Dean’s List, and became a member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity. She transferred to Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, where she graduated with Honors and a Liberal Arts Degree in 1957. Karen completed a Masters of Business and Administration from George Washington University, in Washington, DC, in 1977.
Karen taught History and Economics at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School 1957 - 1959, and then joined IBM Corporation in 1959, teaching at the IBM Training Center in Washington DC.
In 1960, Karen married Douglas A. Roysdon, Lt. USAF, at Christ Lutheran Church in Bethesda, MD, where she had grown up and been confirmed. They moved to Laredo, TX, where Douglas was stationed. Other moves with the Air Force included, Andrews AFB, Camp Springs, Md, 1962-66, US Air Force Command & Staff College, Montgomery AL, 1966-68, The Pentagon, Washington, DC, 1968-75, Langley AFB, Hampton, VA, 1975-78, and Hurlburt Field AFB, Ft. Walton Beach, FL, 1978-79. During the period 1965 – 1975, Douglas served three tours of duty as a fighter pilot in the war in Vietnam.
In 1979, Karen and Douglas separated and were divorced. Karen and their two daughters, Cindy and Marjorie, moved to Dallas, TX, where Karen joined Mobil Oil, working in computer systems support for the Dallas Accounting Center. In 1984, Mobil transferred Karen to their US Marketing & Refining Division in Fairfax, VA., where she worked in various computer systems groups in support of the International Marketing Division. Karen retired in January, 1996, after working for Mobil Oil for 16 years.
After retiring, Karen trained to be a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) in Fairfax County, VA. She worked as a CASA for 10 years providing support for 6 – 8 foster children, both in and out of court.
In 2007, Karen moved to Georgetown, TX, to be closer to her daughter Cindy and her family in Austin, TX, while leaving behind many dear and long-time friends in the Washington, DC, area. In time, she grew to love her life in the Georgetown community where she joined the Georgetown Heritage Society to help with their Holiday Home Tours. Karen was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church where she served as Stewardship Chairman for 2 years. And, she made many good friends as she enjoyed playing bridge in Sun City, at Berry Creek Country Club and most recently at Grand Living.
Karen is survived by her daughter Cindy Terhune and her husband Chris of Fort Mill, SC; her daughter Marjorie Moody and her husband Tracy of Aledo, TX; her granddaughter Colette Haynes (Nate); her granddaughter Chelsea Wrenn (Tyler); her great grandson Henry Haynes; and her brothers, John Knutson and Paul Knutson.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Kristin Thurman, and by her former husband Douglas Roysdon.
She will be missed greatly by her friends and family who love her dearly.
Services will be held on Saturday, January 11th at Grace Episcopal Church (1314 E. University Ave.) in Georgetown at 11 am.
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