Darlene Knutsen

Darlene Knutsen, 91, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Monday, August 26, 2024, at the Exira Care Center, with her family by her side.

Darlene Lillian was born on January 26, 1933, in Carroll, Iowa, the daughter of Hans “Pete” Kirsten (Jensen) Pedersen.

On a rainy night in downtown Atlantic, she was offered a ride home from Carl Knutsen and after dating for a short time the couple married on November 23, 1952. The couple was blessed with five children and 71 years of marriage, offering the advice of “don’t argue and don’t go to bed mad.”

Camping was by far what they enjoyed the most, it started with taking the kids and then continued with friends after. They spent most of their time at Cold Springs State Park in Lewis, but also enjoyed the Conklin Fish Farm near Griswold and Lost Island Lake near Emmetsburg.

They recalled many fond memories made with each other and fellow campers on the adventures including: the forts made with picnic tables to keep out of the elements, sitting in the steaming hot weather to later discover it was so cool inside the camper that the windows had frosted over, hiding candy bars in their freezer to keep others from eating them, watching mishaps as people pulled in and out of the campground…and much more. They loved the peacefulness and time with family and friends camping brought.

In addition to being a homemaker, Darlene worked many years at Elk Horn Produce and Chicken House and also, in the Dietary Department at Cass County Memorial Hospital. A meal at her house was sure to be delicious! When asked what her specialties were, the list, including her baked goods, went on and on. Darlene had a green thumb; her flower beds were full of color from the iris, cosmos, snaps and zinnias and her vegetable garden produced a plentiful harvest, most of which she canned.  Darlene’s creative nature kept her hands busy sewing, knitting, quilting, beading, painting wooden crafts and doing plastic canvas work. In all the years she did this she never bought a single pattern and instead with her keen eye could look at something and within no time have a pattern of her own. Her attention to detail is also what made her an excellent seamstress, not only making her kids their clothes but also altering them for others.

Darlene is survived by her husband, Carl; children, Kenneth (Patricia) Knutsen, Carol Logue, Brenda (Brad) Herrick, Kevin (Carol Wolfe) Knutsen and Jolene (John) Klocek; 13 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Lovie (Roy) Andersen; and many extended family.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Hans and Kirsten Pedersen; parents-in-law, Alfred and Edna Christina Knutsen; grandson, Ryan Stone; sisters, Edel (Ilo) Leist and Lydia Pedersen; brother, Egon Pedersen; son-in-law, James Logue; sisters-in-law, Mary Ann (Merrill) Petty and Betty (Robert) Esbeck; and brother-in-law, Mads (Vernice) Knutsen.

Visitation with the family present will begin at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, September 5th at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic followed by a Celebration of Life Memorial service at 2:00 p.m.

Burial will be held at a later date in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Darlene's family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com