Luella Knudsen

Luella "Lu" Knudsen , age 101 of Woodbury Health Care Center died Sunday morning, June 17, 2012 at Woodbury Health Care Center.

On August 28, 1910 Luella Agnes Shardlow was born to Fred and Florence Shardlow in Marshall, Minnesota. Luella was the middle of three daughters. Florence was her elder sister and Dora was her younger sister. At around the age of 8 Luella contracted the deadly influenza that swept across America, taking the lives of many school children and young adults. But, Luella was an overcomer. She regained her health and went on to enjoy her school years. Luella graduated from high school in 1928 and then graduated from the Winona's Teacher College in 1930. Interestingly enough, her student teaching experience so soured her on teaching in the classroom that she never pursued teaching school as a career. Instead, she pursued office work. She worked in Marshall as a bookkeeper and money changer at J. C. Penney Company for many years. She then moved to Minneapolis where she worked for Northwestern Bookstore for several years. When her father died in 1948, she returned home to Marshall to live with her mother. The two of them then moved to New Orleans to be near sister Florence and husband, Nye Nystrom. After living there for a few months, Luella and her mother moved back to Marshall. Luella then worked as a receptionist in a doctor's office.

One day a new meatcutter in town, Morris Knudsen, came into the doctor's office to have his cut arm dressed. For Luella it was interest at first sight. Mind you, she was now 39 years of age and wondering if she'd ever marry. Morris had to return for several days to have his arm redressed. The second day the doctor, at Luella's bidding, was prying for information as to Morris' marital status. When the doctor told Luella that Morris was a widower with several children, she said, "I've always wanted a ready-made family." Morris, you see, was also interested in Luella at first sight and a few days later, he asked her on a date. Love blossomed quickly and a few months later, on June 11, 1950, they married. Luella indeed got her instant family, becoming mother to Morris Jr. and Maureen (Haqq).

In 1951 Morris joined his brother, Elmer, in a start-up grocery store, SuperValu, in Blue Earth, MN. Daughter, Lynn Ann (Sonia), was born in 1954. Luella and Morris were active in both the Presbyterian and Baptist Churches in Blue Earth. In 1968 Morris, Luella and Lynn moved to St. Paul Park. There they were active at Park Baptist Church and the Alliance Church. Over the years, Luella played the organ and piano, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, Wednesday Release time classes, worked in the church kitchens, and sang solos and duets with Morris.

Luella's interests included studying the Bible, baking, singing, playing and writing music, playing games, cards and Scrabble, crafts, and going on picnics. She also enjoyed fishing with Morris.

In 2007 Luella and Morris moved to Woodbury Health Care Center. The staff on her floor enjoyed her friendly, kind nature, quick wit and sweet sarcasm.

Luella was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Morris, and her sisters, Florence and Dora. She is survived by her son, Morris and wife, Barbara, of Lake City, MN; daughters, Maureen and Peter Haqq of New Brighton, MN; Janet and Dave Ulvin of Edina, MN and Lynn Sonia of Savage, MN; grandchildren Keven Knudsen, Scott (Vicki) Knudsen, Shelly (Casey) Brodigan, Chris (Ana) Haqq, Stephen Haqq, Sarah Haqq (Zach Imfeld), Rachel (Gabe) Jensen, Ruth (Sean) Crego, Rolf Ulvin, Nathaniel Sonia, and Karise (Jeremy) Morgan; and great grandchildren, Cassie, Travis, Alex, Riley, Kelsey, Paige, Sebastian, Soren and Solveig; and nephew David (Florence) Nystrom, and niece, Nadine (Eugene) Greene.

Funeral Service Wednesday at 11 AM at KOK FUNERAL HOME, 7676 80th St. S. Cottage Grove with visitation 10-11 AM. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery