Donald Knudsen, a beloved Stockton educator whose passion for family, language, culture, and community shaped generations of students, recently passed away.
Don had a profound appreciation for the Spanish language and Mexican and Latin American culture. He immersed himself in language study, travel, folk art, and cultural history, becoming bilingual and nurturing a rich cross-cultural understanding that shaped both his personal life and his professional calling.
Don dedicated nearly forty years to teaching in Stockton Unified, where he became a steady and inspiring presence for thousands of students. He taught ESL, Spanish, History, Yearbook, and Newspaper at Franklin High and Stagg High Schools, and the fifth grade at Madison Elementary School. Known for his humor, patience, and sharp intellect, Don brought the world into his classroom.
Outside the classroom, Don was a devoted friend, an avid traveler, reader, and a passionate collector and student of Mexican and Latin American folk art. His home and life reflected the color, history, and humanity of the cultures he so deeply admired.
Don is survived by his wife, Marcia Knudsen; his daughter, Kristina Knudsen; his much younger and handsome son, Michael John "MJ" Knudsen, and the exceptionally well-dressed and incredibly gifted Beau Knudsen.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable gift in his memory to the Don and Marcia Knudsen Family Scholarship at www.lodicommunityfoundation.org/Knudsen, or donate by check, payable to Lodi Community Foundation, Attn: The Don & Marcia Knudsen Family Scholarship, P.O. Box 1327, Lodi, CA 95241. For more information, email [email protected].
Don had a profound appreciation for the Spanish language and Mexican and Latin American culture. He immersed himself in language study, travel, folk art, and cultural history, becoming bilingual and nurturing a rich cross-cultural understanding that shaped both his personal life and his professional calling.
Don dedicated nearly forty years to teaching in Stockton Unified, where he became a steady and inspiring presence for thousands of students. He taught ESL, Spanish, History, Yearbook, and Newspaper at Franklin High and Stagg High Schools, and the fifth grade at Madison Elementary School. Known for his humor, patience, and sharp intellect, Don brought the world into his classroom.
Outside the classroom, Don was a devoted friend, an avid traveler, reader, and a passionate collector and student of Mexican and Latin American folk art. His home and life reflected the color, history, and humanity of the cultures he so deeply admired.
Don is survived by his wife, Marcia Knudsen; his daughter, Kristina Knudsen; his much younger and handsome son, Michael John "MJ" Knudsen, and the exceptionally well-dressed and incredibly gifted Beau Knudsen.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable gift in his memory to the Don and Marcia Knudsen Family Scholarship at www.lodicommunityfoundation.org/Knudsen, or donate by check, payable to Lodi Community Foundation, Attn: The Don & Marcia Knudsen Family Scholarship, P.O. Box 1327, Lodi, CA 95241. For more information, email [email protected].
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Knudsen, please visit our flower store.
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