Verna Joyce Knutson

Verna Joyce Knutson passed peacefully from this life Thursday morning in Butte, Montana with her beloved husband Joel at her side. Born to Arnold and Clara (Olson-Bakken) Storrud in Battle View, North Dakota on October 20, 1928, Verna was one of 14 children. She grew up in the beautiful Red River Valley, and she began her most beloved role as wife, mother, and nurturer when she married Joel Knutson on April 4, 1949 in Moorhead, Minnesota. They settled in Butte in 1953, raising their family to enjoy everything Montana had to offer: walks in the mountains, family camping trips, and “posy picking.” Verna loved to learn: she proudly earned her GED and she was fascinated by archaeology (especially Egyptian history — her 80th birthday was even Egyptian-themed!). She was so proud of her Norwegian heritage. She studied the Norwegian language, took rosemaling classes, and everyone looked forward to her lefse at Christmastime. She realized a lifelong dream when she and Joel traveled to Norway upon their retirement. Joel & Verna built their current home and Verna carefully taped, feathered, and sanded each drywall joint to absolute perfection. She worked meticulously to sand and stain the interior wood doors and molding. For nearly forty years, their home was the gathering place for many holiday dinners and celebrations for her children and grandchildren. Her love of music, kids, and animals; her incredible cooking; and her skills in sewing and gardening blessed everyone who knew her. She took organ lessons and loved to play while her grandchildren sang along. She lovingly read Dr. Seuss to her children and grandchildren. She never let anyone go away hungry: even caring for and feeding complete strangers. She made prom dresses, wedding dresses, and many other beautiful pieces. Her thriving garden was the envy of the neighborhood (kids tell tales of sneaking in to her garden at night just to taste her delicious carrots and strawberries!) Her kind, gentle spirit was immediately felt by anyone who crossed her path. She will be dearly missed, but her loving memories will be with us forever. Besides her parents, Verna was preceded in death by her grandson Brandon Kelley and 12 brothers and sisters. She’s survived by her husband, Joel Knutson of Butte; sons and daughters-in-law: Bruce and Margaret Knutson of Colstrip, Bob and Sheila Knutson of Butte, Steve and Wrenie Knutson of Helena; and daughters and sons-in-law Deborah and Michael Kelley of Dillon, and Julie and Larry Peterson of Helena. Also surviving are thirteen grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, her sister Rhoda Abby of South Dakota, brothers-in-law Kenneth and Jerry Knutson, and numerous nieces and nephews. Our family would like to thank the staff of Genesis HealthCare and the staff of Frontier Hospice for their kindness and compassion extended to Verna, Joel, and the entire family during her last year of life. Memorials can be made in Verna’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Butte Emergency Food Bank, or to a charity of your choice.

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Verna Joyce Knutson

October 20, 1928 - April 7, 2016