Kirsten Elizabeth Knudsen

Died August 15, 2018

Kirsten Elizabeth Knudsen, age 39, passed away on August 15th 2018. After a fierce 5-year-long battle with metastatic colon cancer, she ended her fight at home in Weeping Water, Nebraska, surrounded by her family.

Kirsten was raised in Butte Montana. She graduated from Butte High School, then later earned a degree in Geological Engineering from Montana Tech. Upon graduation, she and her two children, Will and Gracie, moved to Nebraska where she found a fulfilling career as Environmental Compliance Manager at Ashgrove Cement. After her cancer diagnosis, Kirsten's partner John Jackam joined her in Nebraska and the two were married on November 28th, 2015.

Kirsten made deep connections and friends wherever she went. While she lived only 8 years in Nebraska, she made memories and relationships enough to last a lifetime. She put her cherished children, Will and Gracie, first in all things, and she was a wonderful and engaged mother. She also adored her historic home and her beautiful gardens. She later re-visited her talent for art as she began her cancer treatments, and created an intricate series of pen and ink drawings of the lush foliage in her beloved Nebraska garden.

Kirsten was preceded in death by her mother, Eileen McNellis.

Kirsten leaves behind a legacy of loved ones: including but not limited to: Her children, Will and Gracie Howells. Her Husband, John Jackam. Her father and step mother Pete and Renee Knudsen. Her sister and brother in law Kari Knudsen-Stover and Tom Stover, and niece Lucy Stover.

She will be missed dearly by her loved ones far and wide, from Montana to Nebraska and beyond. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that you donate to a memorial scholarship established at Montana Tech for single mothers.

You can donate by mail to: Kirsten Elizabeth Memorial Scholarship, C/O Montana Tech Foundation, 1300 West Park Street, Butte, MT 59701.