Darline Knutson

Darline Betty Lou Fulsaas was born on February 9, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois to Bernhard and Nina (Anderson) Fulsaas. She was the oldest of seven daughters. Darline graduated as Salutatorian at Walhalla High School in 1946 and then from Mayville State College in North Dakota in 1950. She also attended colleges in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Montana. Darline was united in marriage to Harold O. Knutson on June 23, 1962 at Walhalla Lutheran Church in North Dakota. They were blessed with two children: Allan Luther and Karla Fay. While raising a family, Darline was employed at schools in Larimore and Devils Lake, ND, Bradley, SD, Frazer and Wolf Point, MT, St. Louis Park, Staples, Minneapolis, Brandon, and other MN schools. She also worked at Luther Seminary in St. Paul and Wolf Point Public Library. At times she tutored and did substitute teaching. Darline was an active member in all of the Lutheran Churches she belonged to, especially West Moe Lutheran Church of rural Brandon and St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Garfield. Harold and Darline liked to travel during vacations while he served as a pastor and during retirement. Before moving to Alexandria they had 18 special years at Lobster Lake. Darline enjoyed spending time at Luther Crest Bible Camp retreats, Concordia College in Moorhead, Sons of Norway, Retired Pastor’s Spouses, Knute Nelson Auxiliary, and doing volunteer work. In addition to her family and friends, Darline loved to travel, participate in church activities, walking, gardening, writing poetry, and playing scrabble.

On Wednesday, October 16th, 2019, at the age of 91, Darline died at Knute Nelson in Alexandria. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernhard and Nina; sisters, Shirley Jauross, Donna Waxvik Shewey, and Esther Flaten; brothers-in-law, Bill Shewey, Eddie McColgan, Oscar Waxvik, Carlton Flaten, Jack Manley, Gene LeTexier, and Darwin Hughes; nephews, Wesley McColgan, John Manley, Rodney Manley, and Kenny LeTexier.

Darline is survived by her husband of 57 years, Harold; children, Allan (Holly) Knutson of Hewitt, MN and Karla (Bob) Erding of Bloomington, MN; granddaughter, Alyssa Erding of Minneapolis, MN; sisters, Joyce McColgan of Sacramento, CA, Norma Manley of Fayetteville, NC, and Janet LeTexier Hughes of Walhalla, ND.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 20th, 2019 from 4-7 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria, and continue on Monday, October 21st from 10-11AM at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Garfield, followed by the funeral service at 11 AM. Interment to follow in West Moe Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Garfield, Luther Crest Bible Camp, Knute Nelson Hospice, or the Knute Nelson Foundation.