Obituary

Mamie Louise Knutson, 95, slipped into the arms of her Heavenly Father on Tuesday (Sept. 21, 2010) in Broomfield, Colo.

Mamie was born on March 20, 1915, the youngest of nine children born to Jonas and Julia Johnson. She was born at her family’s farm house near Randall, Iowa. She was the grandchild of Norwegian immigrants. Mamie graduated from Randall High School in 1933, having been active in theatrical, musical and athletic extracurricular activities. During that era, girls’ high school basketball was extremely popular in Iowa. Mamie started every game at guard, beginning in her freshman year in high school.
Following high school graduation, Mamie attended Iowa University and subsequently transferred to and graduated from Iowa State University with a major in secondary education. Mamie taught in the public school system in Ankeny, Iowa, from 1938 to 1941.

On March 9, 1941, she married Eugene Harold Knutson of Eagle Grove, Iowa, at Elm Lutheran Church in Randall. Mamie and Gene lived and worked a short while in California before the outbreak of World War II on Dec. 7, 1941, following which, Gene enlisted, and later became an officer, in the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. He served with distinction until 1945. Following World War II, Mamie and Gene lived in Iowa and Minnesota, and eventually moved to Newton in 1964.

In May 2009, Mamie and Gene moved to the Broomfield area to be closer to their children and grandchildren. From 1973 to 1977, Mamie and Gene lived in Brussels, Belgium, where Gene was managing European operations for Hesston Corp. During this time, Mamie and Gene traveled extensively in Central and Western Europe, Africa, Russia and what were then the Communist Block countries. Mamie was an accomplished pianist and organist and was the lead church organist for seven years at the Minnetonka, Minn., Lutheran Church, where she played three services on Sundays due to the rapid growth of the congregation. She also played for weddings and funerals.

With her husband, Mamie was an avid golfer and played courses throughout the world, including South Africa, Australia, Central Europe and Scotland. Mamie also spent much time in Manhattan, accompanying her husband, who was the founder and president of the Harrold Company of Manhattan, exporters of agriculture equipment to Australia. Gene also was a partner with son, Colt, in the operation of Mud Creek Ranch in Flush. Mamie was a 75-year member of the Sisterhood of P.E.O., a member of Ladies Reading Circle and active in First Presbyterian Church in Newton, where she served as an elder.

Mamie is survived by her husband, Eugene of Newton and Broomfield; three children, Jay and wife Suzy Knutson of Boulder, Colo., Colt and fiancee Linda Keller, both of Manhattan, and daughter Anne and husband Dick Kelley of Superior, Colo.; and four grandchildren, Geoffrey Knutson and Courtney Kelley of Boulder, Dr. Jennifer Knutson of Seattle, and Britany Kelley of Newport Beach, Calif.

Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, with the family receiving friends from 2 to 4 p.m. at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton. Local services for Mamie will be at 10 a.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church in Newton with the Rev. James Anderson presiding. Additional services will be on Sept. 30 in Broomfield. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the permanent endowment fund at First Presbyterian Church, 900 Columbus Ave., Newton, KS 67114.