Karen Knudson

Richey, Montana: Karen Knudson, age 75, of Chandler, Arizona formerly of Richey, passed away on Saturday, February 2, 2013 in Chandler. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at the American Lutheran Church in Richey with Reverend Nathan Hall officiating. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Richey has been entrusted with the arrangements. With the passing of time and changing seasons, so comes the passing of our dear sister, aunt and friend; Karen Knudson. She passed away in her sleep due to complications from cancer. Karen was born on September 2, 1937 to Harold and Pauline (Taylor) Knudson. She was raised in Richey and was the oldest of three with two younger brothers, Melvin and Nelson. Karen lived a simple life in Richey; she worked on the farm and cared for her brothers. While in high school she played the trombone and was a cheerleader. After graduating in 1955, Karen’s desire to “take care of others” steered her to St. Francis School of Nursing in Minot, North Dakota. After she completed a three year course, she was hired as an OR surgical nurse in Minot. In 1960, Karen’s adventurous side drew her to the sunny state of California where she worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Long Beach. After four years there, she took a break and (in her words) was a “ski bum” and worked as a cocktail waitress at Mammoth Lake Ski Resort. In the spring of 1965, she joined the screen actors’ guild in Hollywood, California. She has a recurring role on the soap opera, “The Doctors” and also appeared on “The Glass Bottom Boat” with Doris Day. She was delighted by the movie star lifestyle and loved the glamour. As with many actors, she had a ‘regular’ job and she continued her work as a nurse at Queens of Angels Hospital in Los Angeles, California until, once again, her adventurous side took over and she joined the United States Air Force in 1966! While enlisted in the Nurse Corps, she was stationed in Dayton, Ohio and then on to Wiesbaden, Germany. Due to a previous back injury she sustained in a horseback riding accident, she medically retired from the Air Force and continued her education at the Community College in Kalispell, Montana from 1972-1975 where she received her associate’s degree. She went on to attain her Bachelor Associate degree in counseling and rehabilitation and then her Master’s degree while attending Billings College in Billings, Montana. She took a three year stint in between earning her master’s to work as the hospital director of Nursing in Sterling, Colorado. In 1984, Karen was hired by the State of Montana Department of Health &Human Services. Her duties included surveying hospitals, nursing homes, health and hospice agencies to ensure they were complying with health codes and regulations. In 1988, she was promoted to the Denver Regional Office at the United States Department of Health & Human Services where she performed similar duties for Medicare in Montana, Colorado, North and South Dakota and Wyoming. Karen took an early retirement in 2001 to care for her mother, Pauline as her step-father; Bruce (Pauline’s husband of thirty-seven years) was killed on the ranch in Richey due to a tractor accident. Pauline was not well enough to live on the ranch alone. Karen stepped right into the role of caregiver yet again and had come full circle back to the place she had always considered “home” Richey. The two of them enjoyed “going to town” on a regular basis to attend social functions and the school activities of the nieces and nephews. After Pauline passed away in 2001, Karen truly retired to Sun Lakes, Arizona. Karen’s travels took her all around the world and she collected mementos of her trips and made many dear friends along the way. She traced our family roots back to Norway and traveled there to meet our relatives. She has scrapbooks and photo albums full of information about her travels, family members, events – you could say she was the Historian for the Knudson clan! Although Karen never had any children of her own, she always kept in touch with her family and remembered their birthdays, anniversaries and holidays. When they received gifts from her, it was always interesting to see where she possibly traveled to acquire their special present. Karen was preceded in death by her father, Harold Knudson; step-father, Bruce Mayes; mother, Pauline (Taylor) and brother, Melvin. She is survived by her brother, Nelson (Oriana) Knudson; sister-in-law, Kim Knudson and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. We know she is now in Heaven, rest in peace our beloved Karen, you are now on a new adventure! In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that you please make a donation to a charity of one’s choice. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com.

Karen Knudson

September 2, 1937 - March 21, 2013

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Karen Knudson

September 2, 1937 - March 21, 2013

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support