Marlene Knutson

Mrs. Marlene Knutson, age 72 years of Carl Ave. passed away peacefully in Pioneer Ridge on Tuesday January 8th, 2013. Marlene was born in Fort William to Bill and Anne McKie (Beda) on November 9th, 1940. Although she was an only child, she had an extended family of Aunts, Uncles and cousins, all of whom were very dear to her. Marlene attended St. Pat's and Fort William Collegiate, becoming a teacher at the tender age of 19. She began teaching in Sault Sainte Marie. She returned to Thunder Bay when she found work here. She met Edward Knutson in 1960, and they married in 1963. Marlene continued to teach until she had Joanne and then Jamie. Thereafter, she supply taught. Marlene became a Knutson and later, a member of the Norwegian Canadian Association. She enjoyed Ed's large family and the social aspects of the community, organizing group trips to the annual Nordic Fest in Decorah, Iowa. She also volunteered at Big Thunder, feeding the athletes at the hill, and hosting scores of Norwegian ski-jumpers in their Carl Avenue home. Marlene was a great cook and a wonderful host, and often decorated the home with flowers that she grew in her own garden. Marlene also appreciated her Scottish and Slovak heritage, making several trips to Scotland and speaking a smattering of Slovak with her Beda family. Marlene volunteered her time teaching newcomers to Canada and made enduring friendships with several families who settled in Thunder Bay. She was active in the Ladies' Auxiliary of the M.S. Society and helped raise funds for St. Joseph's Heritage. She was a faithful church-goer at Corpus Christi, and more recently at St. Anthony's. Her friends will remember her as a thoughtful and good friend. Marlene enjoyed a very active life throughout most of her 72 years. She was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy in 2006. She fought the progressive symptoms of her illness with tenacity, preserving her independence as long as she could. She moved into Pioneer Ridge in 2010, where she enjoyed excellent care from the dedicated and loving staff. Her husband Ed was always at her side, and her children and grandchild visited as often as they could. She demonstrated a sense of humour even in the final stages of her illness when she could no longer speak, she would still respond to a joke. Marlene will be lovingly remembered by Ed, her husband of 49 years, Joanne, Carlos and family, Jamie, Melissa and granddaughter Rosalie. She will be missed by her large extended families and many dear friends. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 14th, 2013 in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street. If friends so desire, donations may be made in Marlene's memory to the Helping Hands Auxiliary, Pioneer Ridge or to the Parkinson Society Canada. On-Line Condolences may be offered at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca "