Katherine Marie Worra Knutson 1854-1940

KNUTSON, WORRA, OLSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 5/27/2014 at 23:43:53

Mrs. Knutson Died At Home Of Son Near Dolliver
Mrs. Kathryn [Katherine Marie] Knutson passed away at the home of her son, Silas Knutson, near Dolliver, Tuesday morning. Mrs. Knutson was 86 years old at the time of her death. She suffered a paralytic stroke several weeks ago and has been confined to her bed since then.

Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon from the Knutson home and from the Immanuel Lutheran church with Rev. T. C. Hanson, of Lakefield, Minn., officiating Burial will be in the Immanuel cemetery. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, November 21, 1940)

Knutson Obituary
Mrs. Catherine Olson Knutson, child of Ole and Betha Olson Worra, was born the 7th day of May, 1854 at Avelness near Koppervik, Norway. She was baptized early in infancy in the Lutheran Church and faith. Later at the age of 15 years, she renewed her baptismal vow through the act of confirmation at the same church at Aveness, Norway.

Mrs. Knutson spent her childhood and youth at her birthplace in Norway. She, together with many other emmigrants decided to take the chance of crossing the Atlantic Ocean to the new world, America, and came to Pontiac, Ill., the 18th day of June, 1881. The first years she stayed with her half brother, Hellek Wora, who at that time had become a widower and took care of both the children and the home. For a year or more she did house work for other families also. Mrs. Knutson came to Emmet county, Iowa, about 1883.

She was united in Holy Wedlock to Peder Knutson on the 18th of September, 1884, the marriage ceremony performed by Rev. R. Bull, Lutheran pastor at Estherville at that time. This union was blessed with six children, all boys, namely, Martin, Olaf, Kenneth, Barney, Silas and William. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Knutson lived on a farm five miles northeast of Estherville. They then moved to farm home on the east side of Tuttle Lake where they lived until 1900. That year they moved onto the farm home northwest of Dolliver where they have lived since.

Mr. and Mrs. Knutson advanced in years and felt they had earned a rest from the burdens of carrying on the hard work on the farm they decided to retire; but instead of moving in to town, they built a little bungalow near their farm home. Mr. Knutson died about nine years ago and Mrs. Knutson has as a widow, continued to live in the new home they built, having her son Silas and wife to look after her and care for her wants. Mrs. Knutson’s strong constitution gave her enjoyment of good health up to the last few years, when her health began to fail, but she was most of the time able to be up and take care of herself. On Wednesday, the 6th of November, she suffered a severe stroke of paralysis from which she did not recover. She passed peacefully to the great beyond Tuesday morning, November 19 at 9:00 o’clock. She was at the time of her death, 86 years, 5 months and 12 days old.

Mrs. Knutson together with her husband, were among the original organizers of the Palestine Lutheran congregation. She was a faithful wife and a dear mother to her husband and children. She was a faithful and good worker in the congregation, Ladies Aid and other activities of the community. She enjoyed to have people come to her home and they always found the house and heart door open to receive them. Many a pastor and layman has enjoyed her hospitality and service of Christian love.

We will miss Grandma Knutson very much among us both as congregation and neighborhood. But most of all she will be missed by her children and grandchildren. Those left to mourn her departure are: sons, Olaf and family of Dolliver, Barney and family of Minneapolis, Silas and family of Dolliver, William and family of Aurora, Ill., Mrs. Martin Knutson and son of Estherville, Mrs. Hattie Knutson and children of Des Moines, eight grandchildren. Also a host of other relatives and friends. Her husband, Peder Knutson and two of her sons, Martin and Kenneth, also a grandson Russel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ole Knutson preceded her in death.

We are rejoicing in the midst of sorrow that Grandma Knutson is at home with her dear ones and her saviour in peace and joy. God bless her memory.

Funeral services were held on Friday afternoon at 1:00 o’clock at the home and at 2 o’clock at the church. Mr. Fred Sternborg, funeral director and Rev. T. Hansen, conducting the funeral services. Pall bearers were: sons Ole, Barney, Silas, William Knutson and two grandsons, Amos W. and Gerald Knutson.

A brief service was held at the home consisting of two hymns sung by the pastor, also reading of the 91 Ps. with a few remarks and closing prayer. At the church following services were held: A mixed quartet sang two beautiful hymns and Arthur Valen sang a request hymn from the Lutheran Hymnary, a hymn that Mrs. Knutston requested before he death to be sung at her funeral. Rev. S. Sande of Fenton and Rev. P. Nordsletten, Wallingford, former pastors of Mrs. Knutson, both assisted and took part in the service. They both spoke wonderful words of both warning and comfort to the sorrowing families. A host of relatives and friends attended the services to pay their last respect to the dear departed one and to the sorrowing children and grandchildren. The casket was beautifully laden with wreaths and sprays given by the Knutsons children and other relatives. Many gifts of money were given in memory of Mrs. Knutson to be sent to the old peoples home and to mission.

Interment was made at the Palestine cemetery where the body of Grandma Knutson will rest in peace until the resurrection morning, when Jesus will call it forth to eternal life and glory. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, November 27, 1940 / Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, November 26, 1940)