Dorothy Knudsen

CEDAR FALLS — Dorothy Ruth Knudsen, 89, of Cedar Falls, and formerly of Dike, passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

Dorothy’s celebration of life will be held Saturday, July 27 at 2 p.m. at the Windermere Building (South Main Street) on the Western Home campus, Cedar Falls.

Dorothy Ruth (Henriksen) Knudsen was born Aug. 12, 1934 in McIntire, Iowa, to Henry and Delores (Schlamp) Henriksen.  Her childhood years were spent in Dike, graduating from Dike High School in 1952. Dorothy married Donald Edward Knudsen on Sept. 14, 1956 at the Dike Methodist Church. Don passed away in December, 2020.

Dorothy worked as a nurse’s aide in Grundy Center out of high school. She was a very busy mother raising her four children, all born within four years.  When her children entered school, Dorothy began working at Grant’s Department Store in Waterloo and then moved to the sporting goods department at Kmart.  She retired from Kmart in 1997 with 25 years of service.

Dorothy was a long-term member of the Dike United Methodist Church. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her six granddaughters. Dorothy enjoyed being part of the Western Home Communities for two years after moving from her home in Dike.

Survivors incude Donna’s four children, David (Stephanie) Knudsen of Dike, Diane Burchard of Margate, Florida, Dean (Deonna) Knudsen of Cedar Falls and Darwin (Gladys) Knudsen of Ocala, Florida; seven grandchildren, Kim (Justin) Koenigs, Jen (Daniel) Burchard, Alyse (Jara) Harris, Erica (Brad) Dickerman, Emmett (Josie) Fritz, Kristy (Michael Rossi) Knudsen and Kathy Knudsen; and 11 great-grandchildren – Jaxon, Landen and Harper Koenigs, Jaz and Jack Harris, Ted and Gus Dickerman, Dillon and Tatum Fritz and Dominick and Bianca Rossi.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Don, her parents, two brothers, Robert, and Gene, and a sister, Donna.

Memorials, in Dorothy’s name, may be directed to her family. Memorials will be shared with the Beyond Pink Team to support people living with breast cancer and the Dike United Methodist Church.