BETTY KNUTSON, Obituary

Betty L. Knutson, 54, of Havre, a former school teacher, died Saturday, April 13, 2002, at her home in Sun City West, Ariz., of cancer.

Prayer vigil service was 7 p.m. Sunday at St. Jude Catholic Church. Funeral Mass was 2 p.m. today at St. Jude Catholic Church with Fr. Robert D. Grosch officiating.

Betty was born Aug. 23, 1947, to Alfred and LaVearn (Frey) Draeger. She attended Grainbelt Elementary School north of Havre. After graduating from Havre High School in 1965, she attended Northern Montana College for two years. She received a bachelor of arts degree in home economics and science from Montana State University.

On April 19, 1970, she married Roland "Ron" Knutson of Gildford. They resided in Sunburst, where she taught home economics for one year. The following year they moved to Gildford where she then taught science and home economics. In March of 1974, a daughter, Jacinte was born. She and Ron decided that she would quit teaching and stay at home and raise their daughter. She was also involved in helping Ron with the farming. Six years later they moved to Havre where she was a homemaker. For the past 10 years she enjoyed the warm winters in Arizona. She especially enjoyed spending time with her friends and family. She also loved gardening, home decorating, and attending sporting events.

Betty was a member of the St. Jude Catholic Church.

Survivors include her father, Alfred Draeger of Havre; mother, LaVearn Draeger of Havre; husband, Ron Knutson of Havre, daughter, Jacinte Knutson of Phoenix, Ariz .; sisters, Marilyn Wojtowick of Havre, Pat Thomas of Keller, Texas, Rita Zuehlsdorff of Battlelake, Minn .; one niece and five nephews.

Memorials in Betty's honor may be made to Havre Public Schools, Education Foundation, Box 7791, Havre, MT 59501, St. Jude Catholic Church, 624 Fourth St., Havre, MT 59501, or to a charity of one's choice

Services and arrangements are under the direction of the Holland and Bonine Funeral Home.