Erna Knutson

Erna Knutson, 84, Bismarck died November 21, 2003 at her daughter's home. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 2:00 PM at First United Methodist Church in Bismarck with the Rev. Kermit Culver officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Bismarck. Visitation will be Monday from 5:00 - 9:00 PM at Eastgate Funeral Service and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Erna Rasch was born June 4, 1919, in Halliday, North Dakota, the daughter of Christian and Lydia Kruckenburg Rasch. She was raised and attended school in Halliday. Erna married Walter Knutson on November 25, 1939, in Killdeer, North Dakota. Erna lived in many cities including, Halliday, McKenzie, Bismarck, and Bottineau. She was a cook at the McKenzie Grade School for many years. Erna was a member of the Methodist Church in McKenzie, where she taught Sunday school and was a member of women's organizations. She was also a leader for the Girls' 4H Club, she held Office of Clerk for McKenzie Township, was a member of McKenzie Homemakers Club, and was a member of First United Methodist Church in Bismarck. She loved her family and friends, music, reading, writing poetry, and quilting. She also enjoyed crafts, jigsaw puzzles, flowers, and gardening. Erna was an excellent cook and enjoyed cooking for her family. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, JoAn and Paul Olson of Bismarck; her sons and daughters-in-law, Gordon and Barb Knutson of McKenzie, and Rodney and Deanne Kuntson of McKenzie; five brothers and two sisters-in-law, Herbert and Edna Rasch of Minot, Arthur Rasch of Minot, Walter and Eunice Rasch of Prescott Valley, Arizona, Albert and Vaughn Rasch of Eckert, Colorado, and Richard Rasch of Halliday; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Edna Transtrom of Halliday, and Agatha and Chester Schossow of Casper, Wyoming; three sisters-in-law, Ruth Rasch of Vail, Arizona, Marian Rasch of Billings, Montana, and Helen McMahen of Dunn Center, North Dakota; ten grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Erna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Walter Knutson; and infant daughter, Kathryn Knutson; an infant sister, Hilda Rasch; and three brothers, Roland, Otto, and George Rasch.

Erna Knutson

June 4, 1919 - November 21, 2003