Joan A. Knudtson

Joan (Jo) A. Knudtson, age 88, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2018.   She was born in Madison on October 29, 1929 to Fred and Pearl Grant. She shared this birth date with twin sister, Jean Gritzmacher. Jo graduated from Madison East High School. On August 7, 1948 she married the late Eugene Knudtson at Trinity Lutheran Church, where they had been long time members.  Joan was a home maker for many years raising her four children. After her daughter, Judy, passed away in November, 1974 she worked outside of the home at EDS. She and Gene enjoyed traveling, especially to Hawaii after he retired from the Madison Fire Department in 1983. When Gene passed away in February, 1988 she continued to work for EDS for many years until her retirement on November 1, 1994. Jo enjoyed golfing, bowling, traveling, playing cards, and spending time with her friends and family. Jo was a member at Bethel Lutheran Church where she was involved with many volunteer activities. She is survived by three children, Barbara (Matthew) Tochterman, Gary (Linda) Knudtson, and James (Linda) Knudtson; seven grandchildren, Brian (Ana) Tochterman, Barry Tochterman and Matthew (Melissa) Tochterman, Lee and Garrett Knudtson and Michael (Meghan) Darda and Paul (Rebecca) Darda; six great-grandchildren, Brynn, Eugenia, Brady and Margaret Tochterman, Lorelei and Benjamin Darda; Jo’s sister, Betty Heggesta; sister-in-laws, Arlette Kok (Julius) and Shirley Kosikowski and several nieces and nephews.  Joan lived the last few years in Minneapolis and was cared for by Ebenezer Homes.   She is preceded in death by her husband, Gene; daughter, Judy; parents Fred and Pearl Grant; twin sister, Jean Gritzmacher, Dale Gritzmacher; sister-in-law LaVonne Manthe, William Manthe; brother-in-laws Gordon Heggesta, Larry Kosikowski; niece, Jill Wolff; nephews, Dean and Larry Gritzmacher; in-laws, George, Anna Knudtson and many aunts, uncles and cousins. A private family Service of Committal will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Madison, Wisconsin on August 28th.