Joyce Knutsen

Joyce Marie Knutsen, age 92 of Fridley, MN, went home to be with the lord on May 30th, 2018.  She was preceded in death by husbands, Gordon Knutsen, and James Lehn; son Reed Knutsen Sr.; brothers Carlton Reitan and David Reitan; and step-father Ewald Spletter.  She is survived by son, Paul Knutsen of Fridley; daughter-in-law, Denice Knutsen of White Bear Lake; grandsons, Reed (Jessica) Knutsen Jr, Derek (Bryn Relay) Knutsen; 4 greatgrandchildren; brothers John Reitan, Glen Spletter; other family and friends across the country.

Joyce was born June 16th, 1925 in New London, MN to Carl F. and Evelyn (Livdahl) Reitan.  She attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis.  In 1947 she married Gordy Knutsen.  They made their home in Fridley, where she lived until her death.  She loved working as the secretary to Dr. Vernon Bittner and the Chaplain Service at North Memorial Medical Center.  When Gordy became disabled in 1985, she retired to be his full time caregiver until his death in 1992.  She later married Jim Lehn and helped care for him until his death.

Faith in Christ was a cornerstone of Joyce’s life, and He was always there to help her through life’s ups and downs.  She worshipped at Lutheran, Covenant and Baptist churches over the years, and was the “Token Lutheran” in a Catholic women’s group.   Joyce enjoyed keeping in touch with her friends and relatives around the country.  Livdahl Family reunions, lutefisk dinners with her brother John, Making sandbakkels and fruit cake at Christmas, her garden and the Fridley Senior Center. Later in life, she learned to play piano by ear and volunteered at nursing homes, playing old hymns, from memory, for the residents.

Special thanks to the Senior Companions Patricia Ruthie, Ashley and Lonnie at Baywood Home Care, and her good neighbors on Rainbow Drive for helping her Stay in her home as she aged.

Funeral Service, 11 AM Monday, June 4th, 2018 at St. Philip’s Lutheran Church in Fridley, with visitation one hour prior before the service.  Visitation Sunday (TODAY) from 5-7pm at Miller Funeral Home, 6210 Hwy 65 NE Fridley.