Kristina Elizabeth Knutson-Young, 77, died on November 6, 2024. She was born in Cumberland on September 3, 1947, the daughter of Walter and Betty Knutson. Her early years were enriched by a loving extended family, which included great-grandparents, both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. After graduating from Cumberland High School, Kristina and her lifelong friend Joan (Burton) Byrd, headed off on a ship to Europe and spent the summer traveling to multiple countries. This was the jumping off point for her love of travel and adventure.

Kristina went on to attend the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing and graduated as a Registered Nurse. Later she attended Metro State College in Minneapolis and received her advanced degree.

After many years working as a Registered Nurse and Clinical Supervisor in Minneapolis, Kristina began working in hospital consulting. Later she would open her own consulting firm - “KEK - Consultation for Hospital Operations”. Using a matrix that she developed, she assisted approximately 200 hospitals around the United States.

It was during this time, that she happened to sit next to Gene Young on an airplane. That routine flight and a conversation with a stranger turned into a wonderful marriage and 31 years of happiness. Gene and Kristina loved to travel. They loved to attend sporting events, plays, concerts, etc. They golfed at many of the finest golf courses throughout the world.

Upon her retirement she left Tucson, Arizona and moved back to the family home on Library Lake in Cumberland.

Kristina is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gene Young; and step-son, Doug Young. She is survived by her brother, David and his husband, Knut Granath of Dalvik, Sweden; by her aunt, Rosemary Davis; many loving cousins; and her step-children, Linda Williams, Kelly Young and Jodi Niblo. Kristina is also survived by “self-adopted” sister and brother, Lisa and Steve Hoff and their son, Grant who she always referred to as “Our Boy.”

Special thank you to the Cumberland community and everyone who loved and watched over Kristina. Thank you also, to the caregivers and staff at Riverbend Memory Care.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Monday, November 18, 2024 at Cumberland First United Methodist Church. Visitation one hour prior at church. Interment Lakeside Cemetery.

Last Update: Nov 13, 2024 4:38 pm CST