Obituary - Dorothy E. Knutson

Dorothy Barclay Knutson, Lewiston

Dorothy Ellen Barclay Knutson, 91, died Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, at Royal Plaza Care Center in Lewiston. She was born Oct. 18, 1920, at Crane, Wash., near Enumclaw, the sixth child of Laurel Cyrus Barclay and Harry E. Barclay. Her family lived in several places in Washington before settling in Asotin, where she graduated from high school in 1938 as valedictorian of her class. She attended Eastern Washington College of Education in Cheney for two years.

On Sept. 14, 1940, Dorothy married Raymond H. (Ray) Knutson in Lewiston. They lived on a ranch in Kendrick several years before moving to Lewiston in 1948. Ray became a masonry contractor, and Dorothy was bookkeeper for the business until their retirement in 1979. Ray died in September 2005. They had been married 65 years.

Dorothy's life was devoted to caring for her family and for her home, but she was also active and held offices in community organizations including being a charter member of the Ladies of Elks, which selected her Lady Elk of the Year in 1998. She was a charter member of the Nez Perce County Cowbelles and helped organize several of her high school class reunions.

She attended and participated in activities of Orchards United Methodist Church.

In addition to spending time with her grandchildren, Dorothy's hobbies and interests through the years included flower and vegetable gardening, canning, sewing, crocheting and embroidery, quilting, playing bridge and pinochle, camping, fishing, snowmobiling, attending county fairs and rodeos, entertaining family and friends and always having homemade desserts on hand for unexpected guests.

Dorothy quite often entered handwork in the Nez Perce County Fair, and in 2003, at the age of 83, earned a blue ribbon with her hand-pieced quilt.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Ray; daughter Sandra; her parents; sisters Esther Burr and Frances Kuenstler; and brothers Ray Barclay, George Barclay and Claude Barclay. She is survived by two daughters and their husbands; three grandchildren and their spouses; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and loyal friends.

The family extends its thanks and appreciation to the staff of Royal Plaza Care Center for the quality care and concern they gave to Dorothy during the past six years.

A graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday at Normal Hill Cemetery in Lewiston.

Arrangements have been made with Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home of Lewiston.

Memorials may be sent to the Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Hospital, P.O. Box 1100, Boise, ID 83701, or to a charity of one's choice.

Lewiston Tribune, February 1, 2012, p. 7C
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock