Doris (Roen) Knutson

Doris Knutson, age 83, of Beldenville, died Thursday, June 27, 2019 at her home in Martell Township, surrounded by her family.

Visitation for Doris will be on Monday, July 8, 2019 from 4-7 p.m. at Rush River Lutheran Church, rural River Falls, and on Tuesday for one hour prior to the service at the church.

A memorial service will be on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at 1 p.m. at Rush River Lutheran.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Doris E. (Roen) Knutson, age 83, of Beldenville, WI passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, June 27, 2019 surrounded by her loving family and her pastor. She fought a courageous, year-long battle with cancer.

Doris’s passion and gratitude for life seldom went unnoticed, because love was her motivation and her joy in giving was her life.  She was a woman of strength, always humble and selfless, an amazing, loving mother, wife, grandma, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and incredible friend to so many, devoting her entire life to her family and those she loved, while giving endlessly of her time and talents.

Born on November 29, 1935 to parents Melvin and Helga Roen of rural River Falls, Doris was the youngest of six children.  She attended Willow Hill country school, then on to high school, graduating with the River Falls High School Class of 1953.  She worked in downtown River Falls during high school and for a short time afterwards, until she married her sweetheart Glenn Knutson on July 18th, 1954 at Rush River Lutheran Church where she and Glenn were active, lifelong members.

Doris enjoyed country living and was no stranger to hard work as she and Glenn made their life on the farm while raising their four children: Jerry, Donald, Jean and Kevin.  Her devotion and unconditional love for her family knew no boundaries. The energy, enthusiasm and laughter of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren brought her endless joy and her ‘Grandma Day Care” was a huge part of her life as she lovingly cared for her grand and great-grandchildren in their younger years.  Doris loved to share her baking, her incredible apple pies, her Scandanavian lefse and grote, rice pudding, cookies, bars, fresh baked bread, donuts and fresh garden goodies.  She loved to cook, craft, garden and sew along with keeping up her home, yard and all of her flower gardens.  Music played a large part in her life as she was a soprano soloist in the church choir for decades and shared that talent at weddings, funerals, ecumenical choir concerts, and numerous other gatherings.  Always willing to lend a helping hand in any way she could, she just gave endlessly. She loved to travel, and together with Glenn, her brothers, sisters-in-law and friends they enjoyed 25 years of travel throughout the U.S. and abroad, creating endless memories.

Doris and her love will forever remain in the hearts of her children: Jerry (Debbie) Knutson, Jean Hanson, Kevin (Judy) Knutson, grandchildren: Josh (Angie) Knutson, Donny (Jen) Knutson, Meaghan Hanson, Jacob Hanson, Amy (Grant) Greske, Kelly Knutson, Aaron (fiance’ Kaitlin Dougherty) Knutson, and her great-grandchildren:  Dylan, Kylie, Emmett, Addison, Bentley, Lexi, Molly and Rosie, siblings Arnold (Evie) Roen, Harley Roen,  Marlys Torkelson, Kenneth (Deanna)Roen, sister-in-law Lorice Knutson, nieces, nephews, cousins, countless friends and our angel Pam Thom. 

Preceding her in death are her loving husband Glenn of 62 years, son Donald, great grandson Grady Knutson, brother Lyle Roen and many brothers and sisters-in-law.

                          Forever remembered with love and gratitude.

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