Elsie Knudson

Elsie W. Knudson, 89, a resident of Fergus Falls died Tuesday, May 29, 2007, at her home under the care of hospice after battling cancer. She was born October 7, 1917, in Fergus Falls, the daughter of John and Emma (Schmidt) Hardenberg. She was baptized and confirmed at First United Church of Christ. Elsie attended school in Fergus Falls, graduating in 1936. On November 29, 1939, she married Chester Knudson at First United Church of Christ. The couple resided on the family farm in Fergus Falls Township where they farmed until Chester's death on March 6, 1993. Elsie moved to Fergus Falls in 1995. She was a member of the First United Church of Christ where she was an organist and taught Sunday school in her early years. She was a member of the Women's Guild and Circle where she enjoyed being on the kitchen committee, quilting, and serving wherever she was needed. She was involved in preparing the church newsletter, helped with some of the delivering of meals-on-wheels, and was a volunteer at the food shelf. She enjoyed working outdoors. Preceding her in death were her parents, John who died in 1923, and Emma who died in 1937; her husband, Chester; a son, Jim, who died November 14, 2000; two grandsons: Troy Evavold     and Ron Erlandson; son-in-law, Morris Evavold; and a brother, John Hardenberg. She is survived by three daughters: Barbara (Gary) Erlandson of Wendell, Geraldine (Morris) Evavold of Ashby, and Eileen Martinson of Marysville, Washington; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 7 great-stepgrandchildren; one sister, Frieda Lyons of San Leandro, California; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In lieu of flowers, all memorials are to go to First United Church of Christ or Hospice. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home with a 7 p.m. prayer service, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 11 a.m. Tuesday at First United Church of Christ in Fergus Falls Clergy:     Reverend Tom Gard Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls