Lovina Theresa Knutson was called home to be with her heavenly father on Thursday, December 12th, 2019.  She died following a short illness at the Pioneer Nursing Care and Rehab in Prairie Farm.

She was born on July 22, 1923 in Almena, to William and Kathryn (Naser) Effertz.  She was one of twelve children.  On March 13th, 1943 she married Arthur Knutson in Oklahoma.  Together they farmed and raised five daughters.

Lovina had a smile and a laugh that would light up a room.  She was a natural homemaker and no matter where she lived she made it home.  Her pride and joy were always her children, grandchildren and great (great) grandchildren.  She never tired of being with her family.  She loved to dance and to play the accordion and piano.  She lived life on her own terms.  Her favorite line when she thought we were trying to tell her what to do was “I am the Mom.”  She used to express some regret as she never had the opportunity to attend school to graduation but she knew and taught us all many life lessons you would never learn in school.  She valued her catholic religion and made sure we had that as a bases to live our life on.  

She is survived by her daughters; Judith Greenwold of Menomonie, Beverly Kisling of Grand Junction, CO, Bernadine Schmidt of Turtle Lake, Pauline Knutson of Ridgeland; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren;  brother, Richard Effertz of Montana and a sister, Pasty Hendricks of Tomah; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lovina was preceded in death by her parents, William and Kathyrn; husband, Arthur; daughter, Helen Borgen; sisters, Margaret and Elaine; brothers, Lawrence, Jerome, Edward, Andrew, James, John and Paul. 

Funeral services for Lovina Knutson will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Barron with Father Bala Policetty officiating.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday morning.  Burial will be at Wayside Cemetery in Barron.

Arrangements are being handled by Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron.

Last Update: Dec 17, 2019 8:28 am CST