Mary Grace Knutson
February 9, 1930 – January 5, 2018
Mary Knutson of Norquay, SK, passed away at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre on January 5, 2018, at the age of 87 years.
Mary was born February 9,1930, on the family farm west of Guernsey, SK. She was the sixth of ten children born to Clarence and Mary Ann (Snider) Burkhart. She attended grades 1-4 at Waterloo School and grades 5-8 at Mohawk Park. Her father traded horses as well as farmed, so Mary and her siblings often ended up with a spirited team to drive to school. To further her education, grades 9 and 10 were taken by correspondence. Mary was determined to complete her education, so after a period of time working on the family farm, she was able to attend Guernsey High School with her brother, Ray, travelling in a Model A car with unreliable brakes. Once she had received her high school diploma, Mary trained as a nurse at Stratford General Hospital in Stratford, ON, where her aunt, Minerva Snider was the Director of Nursing. She graduated from the School of Nursing, September 4, 1954.
Mary returned with two of her classmates, Pat and Dorothy, to work at the newly opened University Hospital in Saskatoon, SK. Because of the reciprocity between British and Canadian nurses, Mary, Pat and Dorothy set sail for Liverpool, England on the Empress of Scotland September 18, 1956, to work in Britain. Mary was disappointed not to be able to wear her nursing cap from Stratford, of which she was so proud, as they had to wear the uniform of the local hospital in Harefield, England. Following Harefield, she worked in Edinburgh, Scotland. Pat, Mary and Dorothy scrounged together enough money to purchase a well used van, which they christened « Simon » and on their days off they toured the English countryside camping in the Lake District. Simon was mostly reliable to take them on their adventures. Mary was very careful with her money, saving enough to take a 10-day, seven country tour of continental Europe. Having been a farm girl, she had no problem foregoing first class steak, for bologna sandwiches so her funds would last longer. When Mary returned to Canada her next position was in Canora, SK. Shortly thereafter, she began nursing at the old hospital in Norquay, SK. She met Robert « Petey » Knutson while watching a curling game in Norquay. They were married February 11, 1960. Mary and Petey lived on the Knutson family farm, where they farmed in partnership with Mary’s brother and sister-in-law, Archie and Elvy Knutson. They farmed together until 1980. There wasn’t a day Mary wasn’t busy with her garden, farm animals, canning, or sewing, all the while being a patient and kind mother to her four children. As Petey’s health deteriorated due to Diabetes, Mary’s role as a caregiver expanded
Born: February 9, 1930 Place of Birth: Guernsey, SK Death: January 5, 2018 Place of Death: Yorkton, SK
until his passing in June of 1992. Following Petey’s death, Mary’s determined spirit and faith carried her through a few of her own serious health issues to be able to enjoy life to the fullest once again. She had a renewed zest for life. Her first grandchild was born in 1983, and she lovingly nurtured each and every one of the seven grandchildren as they arrived. She took great joy and pride in their lives. During these years she started to travel again, visiting family near and far. She became a member of the Norquay Horticultural Society and « The Hort Show » was an important yearly event. Her competitive spirit emerged as only her best could be entered.
Family was very important to Mary. She cherished not only her opportunities to spend time with family and friends, but kept in contact by sending cards, making phone calls or writing letters for which she was so famous. She read extensively, loved a game of scrabble and the world stopped when it was time for Jeopardy. Every grandchild received a personalized quilt from Grandma. Every great grandchild received one when they were born. Her artistic flare led her to paint unique sayings and scenes on stones and old bricks. Her poppy seed cakes were always popular at the annual Telemiracle supper. Mary’s faith had been her rock throughout, giving her great strength in times of adversity and making her the compassionate person she was.
Mary was predeceased by her parents, Clarence and Mary Ann and her husband, Robert (Petey). Left to cherish her memory and celebrate her life are her four children: Rita (Doug) Zentner, Strathmore, AB, Marilyn (Delwyn) Gazdewich, Norquay, SK, Janet Knutson, Winnipeg, MB and John Knutson, Norquay, SK; seven grandchildren: Eric and Brayden Zentner, Jesse Gazdewich, Andrew (Jennifer) Gazdewich and children, Quinn and Van, Robyn (Justin) Holodniuk and children, Jake and Roy, Josh Gazdewich and Peter (Sara) Gazdewich and their daughter, Aria. She is also survived by her four siblings and their spouses: Greta Hawes, Ray (Vicky) Burkhart, Beatrice (Walter) Bowman and Berna (Hubert) Loken; and sisters-in-law, Clarice Newman and Elvy Knutson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews across Canada and the United States. Public Visitation will take place from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm on Thursday, January 11, 2018, from the Chapel of Leson’s Funeral Home, Canora, SK. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, January 12, 2018, from the Norquay Covenant Church, Norquay, SK, with Pastor Arden Gustafson officiating. Interment will precede the service at Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery, northeast of Norquay, SK. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to
the Yorkton Regional Health Centre or to a Charity of Donor’s Choice, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Mary Knutson.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Mary Grace Knutson 2018.source
Décès pour la Ville: Canora, Province: Saskatchewan
