Ruby Knutsen

Jean Knutsen, 81, a lifelong Atlantic resident, passed away Tuesday evening, September 12, 2006, at the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center.
Ruby Jean was born April 16, 1925, in Brighton Township of Cass County, Iowa, the daughter of Alvin F. and Bertha C. (Sexton) Bannister.
She attended schools in Marne, Iowa and later, married Earl Pearce. Her second husband was Alfred Knutsen. Both husbands preceded Ruby in death.
She was a cook at the Audubon School System for several years and then settled in as a homemaker and mother.
Ruby Jean was known for her cooking and baking. She baked homemade bread, cookies, and candy, which she gave to her family and neighbors.
She is survived by her two sons, Gary Pearce and his friend, Linda of Atlantic, Iowa, and Raymond Knutsen and his friend, Candy West of Lewis, Iowa; two stepdaughters, Betty Esbeck of Atlantic, Iowa, and Lovie Andersen and her husband, Roy of North Liberty, Iowa; a stepson, Carl Knutsen and his wife, Darlene of Atlantic, Iowa; one sister, Vernice Knutsen and her husband, Mads of Atlantic, Iowa; three brothers, Orville Bannister and his wife, Lois of Grimes, Iowa, Richard Bannister and his wife, Yoko of Florida, and Raymond Bannister and his wife, Maxine of California. Ruby is also survived by a granddaughter, Antonia Nemec of Atlantic, Iowa; several step-grandchildren; her son-in-law, Danny Sellers of Atlantic, Iowa; a brother-in-law, Harry Hughes of Lewis, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Gay Bannister of Atlantic, Iowa; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Ruby Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Bertha Bannister; her husbands, Earl Pearce and Alfred Knutsen; a daughter, Penny Sellers, two brothers, Mervin and Robert Bannister; two sisters, Dorothy Hughes and Juanita Clifford; and her stepdaughter and her husband, Mary Ann and Merrill Petty.
Cremation has taken place and there is no scheduled visitation or memorial service.
Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic is in charge of the arrangements.