Janice Knutson

Janice Noell Knutson passed away Thursday, July 12, 2012, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa, just before 9:00 p.m. holding her husband Milt's hand and with her two daughters present at the time. Her son had just been there the previous day.

She was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in March of 2005. After six wonderful years of no evidence of cancer, it returned in March of 2011. In the ensuing 15 months, she selflessly fought a courageous battle to control the cancer with the hope of sharing future memories with her family, especially her eleven grandchildren.

Her husband was with her constantly, especially after she entered the hospital's hospice care on July 8th. Daughters, Chrissy and Susan, and son, David, were also with her during her time there, and in the preceding weeks and months. We were blessed to share her life journey and are grateful that she is now at peace.

She was born April 28, 1942, at Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, to Norman and Janet Kinneberg. She grew up on the family farm near Rushford, Minnesota. In 1960, she graduated from Rushford High School and went on to Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota, graduating in 1963. After working two years at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, she married Milton Knutson and they moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota, where Janice worked as a nursing supervisor of Burns Manor Nursing Home. A daughter, Christine (Chrissy), was born. A job transfer took them to Winnebago, Minnesota, for the next nine years. A son, David, and a daughter, Susan, were born in nearby Blue Earth, Minnesota. Then the family moved to Webster City, Iowa, for the next six years. In 1982, the family moved to Atlantic, Iowa, where she and Milt lived for 30 years. Earlier this year they relocated to Coralville, Iowa.

Janice worked in several doctor's offices, as a school nurse, in extended care units, and in home health care.

She is survived by her husband, Milt Knutson; daughter, Chrissy Barry (Joe) of Coralville, Iowa; son, David Knutson (Giselle) of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois; and daughter, Susan Knutson-Pourshah (Fred) of Flower Mound, Texas. Also, eleven grandchildren, Chelsea, Justin, Jordan, and Cosette Barry; Luke, Max, Roy, and Jill Knutson; and Ellie, Emma, and Eva Pourshah. Also surviving are sister, Sharon Boyum (Ross) and brothers, Norris (Fran), John and Verdale Kinneberg of Minnesota and Michigan. Janice was preceded in death by her parents, and nephews, Brian Boyum and Dean Kinneberg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Hands of Compassion (House of Compassion), 840 West Center Street, Rochester, Minnesota 55902, phone (507) 289-6025. Janice and Milt were welcomed graciously, and stayed there, during her many treatments at the Mayo Clinic.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 20, 2012, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa.

Visitation with family will be from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, July 19, 2012, at Hockenberry Funeral Home in Atlantic. You may also visit with family Friday morning from 8:30 - 10:30, prior to the service. A lunch will be held following the service with a brief time for visiting with family due to travel time needed for the committal service in Van Meter.

Burial will be in the Iowa Veteran's Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa.