The memorial service for Marian Helen Abbott Knudsen will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 10, 2018 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester with Rev. Russell Scepaniak and Rev. Thomas Loomis officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Burial will be at a later date in Grandview Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Rochester.
Marian was born to Walter and Ester Abbott in Waseca, MN on July 23, 1937 just minutes after her twin sister, Margaret. She was raised in Elysian, MN and graduated from Waterville High School in 1955. After graduation she worked at Federated Mutual Insurance in Owatonna for six years and then in Minneapolis for Johnson, Drake, and Piper Construction for three years.
She married the love of her life, Douglas E. Knudsen, on November 28, 1964 at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Elysian, MN and they have made their home in Rochester, MN. She worked at Dayton's in Rochester for 23 years and retired in 1999. She thoroughly enjoyed volunteering at the Mayo Clinic for 15 years and was an avid helping hand at Safe Haven animal shelter.
Marian enjoyed being with all her family, traveling (especially cruises which she went on with her beloved husband and sometimes friends). She loved having coffee or a lunch with her friends anytime or any day, word find puzzles, and most of all her cats. She was a member of St. Pius Council of Catholic Women and the Dayton's Retiree Group. She was a life-long member of St. Pius X Catholic Church since 1964.
Marian is survived by her loving husband, Douglas; children, Robert Knudsen (Van) of San Fransisco, Charles (Jerilyn) of Chatfield, and Jane Borgen (Mark) of Rochester; her grandchildren, Emilee Knudsen and Kayden Borgen; along with many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother, an infant son, Thomas J. Knudsen, and an infant granddaughter, Alexa M. Borgen.
The family prefers memorials to Safe Haven Pet Rescue, Ronald McDonald House, or St. Judes Children Hospital.