Lorene (Lindsay) Knutson

PORTAGE  --    A very long life came to a peaceful end as Lorene (Lindsay) Knutson passed from this life on January 22, 2016 at Heritage House in Portage. 

She was born the second daughter of Mathias (Lindsø) and Blanche (Sauby) Lindsay on July 28, 1921, at the family farm in Rosholt, SD. She attended the proverbial one-room school house in Harmon Township, Roberts County, SD where her mother had taught years before.  After graduating from Browns Valley MN high school in 1939 she enrolled at Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, SD to follow in her mother’s footsteps.  After one year she received her certificate to teach in rural schools and followed that career path for several years. She was known as a capable and strict teacher who remained friends with her students for decades, in some instances.

On June 28, 1944, she was united in marriage with Arne Knutson at Trondhjem Lutheran Church, Rosholt SD.  The young couple farmed in the area for a number of years while she continued teaching.  After her husband’s career path took them into the farm machinery business, she worked at the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company.  A career move for Arne led to Canby, MN where she worked in the local physician’s office. When a job transfer led to Sioux Falls, the couple was able to complete their family with the adoption of two beloved children, Mark and Kristi.  Another transfer to Minnetonka was where the children spent their younger years before a final move to Portage, in 1972.

Through the many moves, Lorene remained close to the large extended families of her and her husband, hosting meals and get-togethers whenever possible. She always felt she had achieved the best career possible, wife and mother. She was able to accompany her mother and sister to Norway in 1974 and met cousins throughout that country. This may have been the inspiration for her channeling her artistic talents into rosemaling, knitting and Hardanger work, which she shared widely with friends and relatives. The small pen and ink drawing she produced on frequent notes to her mother have been retained and cherished by many. After her husband’s sudden death in 1991 she remained in her Portage home until moving to Heritage House in 2013.  Her life revolved around church, art, handiwork, bridge clubs, creating a pleasant home and most of all, friends and family. She treasured special friendships within Sons of Norway, Wauona Trails Women’s Club and several bridge groups.

She was preceded in death by her husband Arne, parents, and siblings Virginia Lehrke, Emerald Tasa and Arwin Lindsay. Lorene is survived by her son Mark, daughter-in-law, Kate, grandchildren Ashley (Matt) Ingraham and Zachary as well as siblings Marilyn Meyer, Byron (Elinor) Lindsay and Marlys (Gene) Nelson, sister-in-law Esther Knutson and brother-in-law Harvey Marxhausen and her daughter Kristi.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday January 30, 2016, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Portage, with Rev. Julie Krahn officiating, burial will follow in Silver Lake Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Friday, January 29, 2016 from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, and on Saturday from 12 noon until 1p.m. at the church.