Florine M. Knutson

Florine Marie Smith was born February 19, 1942 in Bagley, Minnesota, to Gilbert “Gib” Smith and Marie Craig Smith. She died peacefully on September 13, 2019, in the presence of her children and grandchildren.

Florine attended Minerva Country School as a young child and graduated from Bagley High School in 1960. She was married to Edwin Knutson in Bagley on June 23, 1959. They moved to southern California in the early 1960’s and returned to Minnesota a few years later, settling first in Pelican Rapids and then in Lake Park, where they raised their daughters. Florine was trained as a dental assistant and attended cosmetology school. While in California, she worked for an electronics company that made parts for the Apollo launch pad. After returning to Minnesota, she worked primarily as a bookkeeper in various settings, retiring from Precision Printing several years ago.

Florine was artistic and curious, and never stopped learning new things. She was a prolific gardener and possessed a wealth of information about plants and birds. She was very modest about her talents, but always willing to teach others or lend a hand in any way she could.

She is survived by Edwin and their daughters Becky (Kevin) Anderson, of Fargo, Linda Notti of Dripping Springs, TX, Karin (Chris Evans) Halverson of Hawley and Amy Knutson of St. Paul, MN, grandchildren Mandy, Kasey (Lisa) and Meghan (Brett Fredrickson) Anderson, Nicolette and Isabella Notti, Brody and Bailey (Levi Rhodes) Halverson, step-grandson Tyler Evans, 5 great-grandchildren, Parker, John, Knox, Brylee and Runi, and 3 step great-grandchildren, Brooks, Tristan and Melanie. She is also survived by her brother’s children, Sheila Smith Vorderbruggen and Stacy Bannor, both of Bagley, and Cody and Gib Smith of Idaho, along with many nieces and nephews on Edwin’s side.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Gib and Marie and her brother Steve.

Visitation will be Saturday, September 28, from 9:00 – 10:00 am., followed by the memorial service at 10:00 am, in Lake Park Lutheran Church, Lake Park, MN, with Pastor Rod Spidahl officiating.