Obituary of Jean Marie Knudsen

Mom died on May 18th at St. Mary's Hospital in Camrose. She is survived by her beloved son Les Knudsen of Camrose, and three daughters and their families: Beth Branting of Edmonton and children Ryan and Angela (Chal) and great-grandchildren Aiden and Erik; Kathryn and Bryan Graff of Ferintosh, and children Matt (Claire), Graham, David and Elly; and Jill Knudsen and Mark Mendelson of Toronto, and children Jonathan, Brittany, Jesse, Ty and Erika. She was predeceased by her husband Erik in 2001 and her brother Alan Wilson in 2011. Mom was born in Calgary. As a toddler, she became the chosen daughter of Jessie and Gordon Wilson and came to live at Duhamel. She graduated from New Norway High School, and spent the next three years at the University of Alberta before starting her teaching career. During this time, she met our Dad, a young Danish immigrant working on her parents' farm. They were married in 1955 and soon bought the farm at New Norway. Mom was ahead of her time in many ways and was an early feminist with progressive social ideologies. She and Dad were Liberals who often discussed politics. She was a "working mother" during the 60's and 70's, and strove tirelessly to balance her career, family, and community responsibilities. Mom was a determined woman, finishing her university degree at night and summer school. She was committed to ensuring her son Les got the education and support he deserved. She was dedicated to many organizations over the years, including CAFCL, Centra Cam, the New Norway United Church and the ATA. Mom embraced Dad's family in Denmark. She quickly became fluent in Danish, a skill she proudly maintained until her death. Mom was a gracious hostess to many dinner parties. She harvested reams of vegetables from her garden to feed her family in the winter. Her bread will forever be famous to her grandchildren. Mom stopped teaching a short time after Dad's cancer diagnosis, and devoted herself to caring for him during his long illness. After his death, she also suffered myriad health problems and her last years were difficult. Her feisty spirit helped her to persevere despite enormous challenges. We are grateful to Mom for her many legacies. We will remember her intelligence, courage, commitment to learning, unfailing work ethic, dogged determination, and her role as a loving Mom who cherished her children and grandchildren. A Funeral Service was held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 22, 2015 from the Burgar Memorial Chapel (4817 51 Ave Camrose, Ab). Interment will take place at a later date in the New Norway Cemetery. If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to CAFCL or to Centra-Cam.