HARRIETT MAE KNUDSEN

Harriett Mae Knudsen, 89, of Devils Lake, peacefully passed away on 18 May 2014, at Heartland Care Center, with her two sons and daughters-in-law at her side. Services will be held at 11 AM, Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Devils Lake where Harriett was a charter member. Rev. Reuben Schnaidt will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake Tuesday, (today) from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Harriett Mae Knudsen was born on May 9, 1925 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter of Arthur and Clarice Stromquist. In 1944, she graduated Devils Lake Central High School. She then moved, with 13 young women, to Washington, D.C. where she was employed by the Department of the Navy, in support of the WWII effort. She later moved to New York City, where she met and married Walter G. Knudsen in September 1945. At the time, Walter was on active duty serving in the Shore Patrol of the United States Coast Guard. Following the war, they returned to Devils Lake where they began their family. Later they moved to California where she attended and graduated from Riverside City College. In 1962, they returned to Devils Lake where they purchased and managed the Artclare Motel. A progressive woman, Harriett was the first woman to serve both on the Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce and the Devils Lake Park Board. She served as President of the National Highway 2 Association, was a past Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star and a 50-year member of the Lorraine Chapter of the Eastern Star. Harriett was a member of the District 15 Republican Women. Harriett was a strong, self-reliant, grace-filled, and fun-loving woman. A wonderful role model and treasured friend. We have many great memories of times shared with her. We will miss her every day for the rest of our lives. Harriett is survived by sons, Stephen (Patti) of North Carolina, and David (Gloria) of Devils Lake, and five grandchildren, Stephen W. Knudsen, Georgie Duffy (Brad), Nathan Knudsen (Heidi), Allan Vetsch (Aleta), and Pam Jacksen (Bruce), and great grandchildren Christopher, Nicholas, Bryan, Britany, Taylor, Caleb, Wyatt, Hadleigh, Benjamin, Maggie, and Emmalyn. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Walter in December 1968, and parents, Arthur and Clarice Stromquist. Serving as Casket Bearers for Harriett will be her grandchildren. Music will be provided by Jean Vetsch, vocalist and Lynda Pearson, pianist. Friends may sign the online register book and share memories of Harriett at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com