Lois M Knudson

On October 19, 2022 we lost Lois Mae Knudson. Lois was a lot of things; kind, patient, strong, beautiful, a mean bridge player, USPS postwoman, a fun Norwegian folk dancer, and could never say no to her grandkids when they asked for Taco John’s every Tuesday. She gave her all to her family to care for them and to protect them. She was the woman eating her dinner after everyone else had already finished because she was so busy making sure everyone had everything they needed – and it just came natural to her.

     Lois M. Knudson was born on the home farm December 12, 1933, in Wadsworth Township, Woodworth, North Dakota. She was the eldest of seven children of Theodore and Irene (Holtz) Johnson.

     Lois attended the first grade in the rural country school in New Rockford, ND as the Wadsworth Township Wingire School did not have enough students to open. Lois lived with her Aunt Gena and Uncle Lyle Ingraham, who farmed SE of New Rockford, ND. When Lois finished the 1st grade, her parents moved to Woodworth, as her father started to work at the Sorenson Elevator.

     Lois attended 2nd and 3rd grade at the Woodworth Public School and finished her 3rd Grade at Franklin Elementary School in Jamestown, and 4th grade at Roosevelt School.  She continued at Franklin for 5th and 6th grades, when her father began his 35-year employment as a mechanic with the Stutsman County Road Department.

     Lois graduated in 1952 from Jamestown High School. Throughout high school Lois worked at the Northwest Y Restaurant with plans to attend Valley City Teachers College. With a shortage of rural schoolteachers, high school graduates were allowed to take a test to teach, which Lois did. Lois taught one year at the Ashland Township County School.

     Lois married Curtis Gordon Burkhardt in 1952 and worked at the Easter Seal Society, at JC Penney as a window dresser, and filled in at the Northwest Y Restaurant/Truck Stop as a waitress, carhop, cook and bookkeeper. Curtis died in a car accident October 1, 1960, leaving Lois with their 3 children: Dennis, Corinne, and Cheryll.

     On September 22, 1962, Duane A. Knudson, Pingree ND, married Lois at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Jamestown, ND. Duane was a grain farmer and seed salesman, and later a crop insurance adjuster. Son, Craig Knudson was born in July 1963, completing their family.  As the children graduated high school and entered college, Lois worked part time in the insurance offices of Harry Hellman.  She started her 20-year career with the USPS as a rural mail carrier in 1979.

     Lois was an active 4-H Leader (15 years), a Cub Scout Leader, PTA and Home Room Coordinator at Roosevelt School, and served as Secretary and President of Homemakers. Through her life she was an integral part of St. John’s Lutheran Church including the women’s organization, church council, pastoral call committees and as ALCW District VP and Lay Sacramentarian. As a ND 4-H Leader she organized a tour of Washington, DC and then traveled to Japan as an advisor/chaperone with the ND 4-H/Labo Youth Cultural Exchange. She later hosted Japanese youth and adult advisors of Labo in Jamestown.  Lois joined the Sons of Norway Troll Dancers in the 1970s - a group of traditional folk dancers performing in Jamestown and surrounding communities.

     Lois was a charter member of the Red Hat Society and Jewels of the Prairie. She was a consummate bridge player and fierce Scrabble and Pinochle player. She cherished all her bridge events with her Ladies!  She loved her travels with Duane to visit their children as they each settled in other regions of the US. In addition, Lois loved their travels to Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal and Japan.

     Lois was a caretaker of her parents, her Aunt Esther Johnson Sorenson, and her husband Duane, who preceded her in death.

     Lois is survived by her brother Duane O. Johnson of Jamestown, sister Sandra (Juel) Johnson Dahlke of Rapid City, SD, nieces, nephews, and their respective spouses. In addition, her brothers-in-law Dale (Noreen) Knudson of Pingree, ND, Mark (Suzanne) Knudson of Horseshoe Bay, TX, and sisters-in-law MaryBelle (Dennis) Knudson (Dennis’ widow) of Castle Rock, CO. Joyce Larson Zimmerman of Plano, TX, was a dear friend of Lois since Junior High.

     Lois’ children and grandchildren are Dennis (Gloria) Burkhardt (WA), Kalin Burkhardt Clark (Drew) (OR), Tierney (Amrit) Burkhardt Dhar (WA), Craig (Molla) Knudson (TX), Lauren Knudson (MO), Sean Knudson (TX), Corinne Burkhardt Vahle (MN), Cheryll (Jim) Burkhardt Bratvold (MT).

     Lois’ Memorial Service and interment of ashes will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, May 12, 2023 at St. John’s Lutheran Church and Sunset Memorial Gardens in Jamestown, ND.  If desired, donations in Lois’ memory can be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 424 1st Ave S, Jamestown, ND 58401.

     Eddy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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