Dorothy R. Knudsen

Dorothy Ruth Knudsen 

August 12, 1934 – June 11, 2024

Dorothy Ruth (Henriksen) Knudsen, 89, was born August 12th, 1934 in McIntire, Iowa, to Henry and Delores (Schlamp) Henriksen. Her childhood years were spent in Dike, Iowa graduating from Dike High School in 1952. Dorothy married Donald Edward Knudsen on September 14th, 1956 at the Dike Methodist Church. Don passed away in December of 2020.

Dorothy worked as a nurse’s aide in Grundy Center out of high school. She was a very busy mother raising her four children, all born within four years. When her children entered school, Dorothy began working at Grant’s Department Store in Waterloo and then moved to the sporting goods department at Kmart. She retired from Kmart in 1997 with 25 years of service.

Dorothy was a long-term member of the Dike United Methodist Church. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her six granddaughters. Dorothy enjoyed being part of the Western Home Communities for two years after moving from her home in Dike. 

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-four years, Don, her parents, two brothers, Robert, and Gene and a sister, Donna. Dorothy is survived by four children, David (Stephanie) Knudsen of Dike IA, Diane Burchard of Margate FL, Dean (Deonna) Knudsen of Cedar Falls IA and Darwin (Gladys) Knudsen of Ocala FL; seven grandchildren, Kim (Justin) Koenigs, Jen (Daniel) Burchard, Alyse Harris, Erica (Brad) Dickerman, Emmett (Josie) Fritz, Kristy (Michael Rossi) Knudsen and Kathy Knudsen; and ten great-grandchildren – Jaxon, Landen & Harper Koenigs, Jack Harris, Ted & Gus Dickerman, Dillon & Tatum Fritz and Dominick & Bianca Rossi.

Dorothy’s celebration of life will be held Saturday, July 27th, 2024 at 2 pm at the Windermere Building (South Main Street), on the Western Home campus, Cedar Falls, Iowa. Memorials, in Dorothy’s name, may be directed to her family. Memorials will be shared with the Beyond Pink Team to support people living with breast cancer and the Dike United Methodist Church.