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Obituary for John A. Knudsen
John Albert Charles Knudsen went to be with Jesus on April 4, 2015. He was 87 years young. John was born in Oakland, California in 1927 to Herluf and Josephine Knudsen. He served in the US Coast Guard during WWII in Japan. His memories and stories of this time were primarily about being seasick. He was a Mason of Live Oak Lodge #61F in Oakland, California for more than 60 years. John moved to Brookings in 1963 where he worked for many years as a builder. He built the house that he and his wife, Dianne, have lived in for the past 24 years. John married Dianne in 1983; they would’ve celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary on August 7. John is survived by his wife, Dianne, daughters Nancy (Warren) Nedved of Federal Way, Wash., Vicki Knudsen of Brookings, Audrey Bond of San Jose, Calif., and Michelle Oliver of San Jose, Calif.; sons, Steven (Barbara) Knudsen of Castro Valley, Calif., Robert Knudsen of Hollywood, Flor., and stepson, Steve Hewitt. Also surviving are grandchildren Aryauna (Zachary) Olds of Brookings, Hannah (Will) DuFour of Brookings, Jill Nedved of Seattle, Wash., Scott Nedved of Federal Way, Wash., Jessica (Keenan) Kumanchik of Winchester, Calif., Jason Knudsen (serving in the US Marine Corps in Spain), Amber Ard of Brookings, and Gabby Parsons of Brookings; great grandchildren, Novalee and Maddox Kumanchik. John enjoyed golf trips with Dianne and friends, trips to Clear Lake, Calif. with his girls, eating ice cream, mocha frappuccinos and jelly beans. John had a dry sense of humor, which stayed with him until the day of his passing. His ability to tell stories is something anyone who knew him will remember. While his sense of humor was dry and sharp at times, he found a way to connect and show his love. John was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Kathleen Hewitt. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in John’s name to Gideons International (www.gideons.org) or to Coastal Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 493, Gold Beach, OR 97444 or online at (www.coastalhomehealthandhospice.com.) The hospice presence assisted the family in having John at home for the final months and were a constant support in the few days prior to his passing. A very special thanks to Sally and Kathy from Hospice who “granted his every wish” no matter what it was. We will forever be thankful for the love and care you showed to him during our time together.
