JoAnn Knutsen

JoAnn Knutsen, 95, of DeWitt, Iowa, passed away peacefully Saturday, August 2, 2025, surrounded by her loving family in her home.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Schultz Funeral Home in DeWitt. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 11, 2025, at Elvira Zion Lutheran Church, the Rev. Terri Monnin officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in DeWitt.

JoAnn Marie Knutsen was born January 4, 1930 near Welton, Iowa to Fred and Katherine (Carstens) Reher. She and her brother, Donald went to rural schools near DeWitt and Welton. As she got older she worked at Kieses Variety, a small local store in DeWitt in 1947-1948. She met Glenn Knutsen in Malone, Iowa and they were married on November 24, 1948. Their marriage was blessed with Susan in 1950, Larry in 1956 and Linda in 1963. Over the years, JoAnn enjoyed taking care of her family. She and Glenn also enjoyed going to Bemidji, Minnesota to go fishing and they enjoyed going to bingo. Glenn and JoAnn loved spending time with their children as well as their grandchildren. Glenn passed away in November of 1997 and Linda moved home to help JoAnn.

After Glenn passed, JoAnn enjoyed sewing and embroidery work. She and Linda started a business, Kanoodles Krafts and Kreations. She loved taking part in craft shows and even held her own event here in DeWitt for several years, Holiday Helpers Craft Show. She loved talking to the crafters and the people as they came in to shop. She enjoyed showing off pictures of her grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as talking on the phone with friends and relatives near and far. JoAnn was a member of Elvira Zion Lutheran Church. She spent many years teaching Sunday School as well as vacation bible school. She was a member of the Naomi circle.

She is survived by her son, Larry (Karyn), Marion, Iowa and Linda, DeWitt, Iowa; four grandchildren, Fred Hare (Andrea), Bellevue, Iowa, Katherine Hare (Doug), Dubuque, Iowa, Emily Schultz (Ron), Marion, Iowa and Brian Bowser (Christina) Michigan. She is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren, Payden, Jaxon, Jai, Jensen, Addisyn, Nora, Grafton, Lilly, Gwen and Alyssa and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Glenn in 1997, her brother Donald in 2021, and her daughter Susan in 2024.

In lieu of flowers, memorials made be made to the family.

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

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