Doris Knudsen

Doris L. Knudsen (nee Kleppe), age 87, formerly of Columbia Station, passed away Monday, March 17, 2008 at Arden Court, Parma, following a brief illness. She was born in Jefferson Twp., Wisconsin where she grew up on a farm. She treasured those early childhood memories of walking several miles to school, milking the cows, doing farm chores, swimming in the lake and helping her mother with her brothers and sister. She was one of fourteen children. She married her husband, Erling, in 1940 (deceased in 2005) and moved to Ohio while he was serving in the Army during World War II. During the war she worked in a Medina factory helping to make military aircraft. They resided in Columbia Station for over 60 years. She was a housewife who was very active in her community. She volunteered to be the neighborhood chairman for numerous charitable causes. She even served in a Civil Defense program called "Skywatch" (during the Korean War) helping spot unfamiliar aircraft coming into the area. In 2007, she was inducted into the American Red Cross Blood donors Hall of Fame after donating more than 26 gallons of blood. She had numerous hobbies in her lifetime such as quilting, ceramics, cake decorating, woodworking and hosting and entertaining her grandchildren during their summer vacations. Her greatest legacy was being a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was a member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran in Berea. Survivors include her daughter Erlene (Edward) Smith of Columbia Station; sons, Wayne (Violet) Knudsen of Elyria, Lloyd (Joanne) Knudsen of Sharon Center; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brothers, Andrew and Lawrence Kleppe. She was preceded in death by her husband, Erling on February 13, 2005; grandson, Steven Smith in 1981; six sisters; five brothers; and parents, Carl and Borghild (nee Bergoust) Kleppe. Friends may call on Wednesday from 5-8 PM at the David Bogner Family Funeral Home, 36625 Center Ridge Road, North Ridgeville; where funeral services will be held on Thursday at 2:00 PM. The Reverend Thomas Henderson, pastor of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Berea, will officiate. Burial will be in Resthaven Memory Gardens, Avon Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, 2929 West River Rd., Elyria, OH 44035. For more information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.davidbognerfamilyfuneralhome.com

Doris Knudsen

April 6, 1920 - March 17, 2008