Obituary of Elna Viola Knutson

Elna Viola Knutson, 92, resident of Lake Minnetonka Shores in Spring Park, MN died Friday April 6, 2018. Viola was born September 8, 1925, in Melvin, MN. She was the 8th child of 10 born to Knut and Christine Klev and attended country school near their rural home. Viola traveled to Portland, OR during World War II, working with family members in the ship building effort. On June 4, 1949, Viola married Russell Knutson of Gary, MN. They made their home in Fertile, MN where they raised their two children, Arden and Kristi. In 1974, Viola and family moved to Ft. Lauderdale, FL where she resided until 1990. Viola was baptized and confirmed at Varnes Lutheran Church. She will be buried next to her beloved Russell at Concordia Lutheran Cemetery in Fertile. Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Russell (1980), five sisters, Gena Fadness, Eleanor Kvamme, Rocell Johnson, Bernice Ellegard and Sally Casavan; and three brothers, Emil, Clarence and Loren Klev. Survivors include two children Arden (Sunday) Knutson of Blairsville, GA, and Kristi (John) Eickhof of Orono, MN. Five grandchildren, Kari Knutson of Gainsville, FL, Lauren (Andrew) Syrup of Maple Grove, MN, Russell Knutson of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Eric (Alli) Eickhof of Minneapolis, MN, Jack Eickhof of Minneapolis, MN and one brother, Lester Klev of Grand Rapids, MN. Blessed be the memory of Viola Klev Knutson.