Violet Louise Shaunaman Thornton Knudson, 92, was born Feb. 19, 1921, to William and Minnie Bell in Aberdeen.
She peacefully left this earth to join her Lord in her heavenly home on April 25, 2013.
Vi was raised with her brothers and sisters on a farm outside Aberdeen. After World War II, she married and moved to Fresno, Calif., where she made her home with her husband, Bud. Prior to becoming a mother to their only child, Patti, Vi worked for JJ Newbury and The Fresno Guide. Later, she worked for Swimtrim and the County of Fresno until she retired. Vi was active in the community as a Girl Scout leader, a Sunday School teacher, a proud recipient of Leif Ericson Elementary School's "Mother of the Year" award, a member of Trinity Lutheran's Altar Guild, an all-around church volunteer, an avid member of bridge and pinochle clubs, and lastly, after retiring, a proud member of Grandma's Club!
After years of friendship and later courtship, in 1985, Violet married Del Knudson. Del shared Vi's passions for faith, family and home, so they gardened, cooked and entertained together. Both greatly enjoyed their expanded families.
Vi loved all of her roles and she made the most of the opportunities those roles provided her. In addition to her faith, hearth and home were the focus of Vi's life, she took immense pride in her beautiful home that she decorated with a designer's eye, her stunning garden, brimming with lilacs, roses, magnolias and wisteria (all of which she planted and maintained well into her 80s), and the tasty delights that always seemed to pour forth from her kitchen. Conversation and laughter emanated from her home whether it was family, friends or neighbors who dropped by Vi's for a morning coffee or gathered for a holiday or weekend celebration, sure to include games; Scrabble, Bridge, pinochle, canasta were her favorites, but she was open to Cribbage, Yahtzee, Perquacky, croquet, puzzles or whatever suited the mood and ages present. Life's simplest pleasures were Vi's greatest pleasures and she had a way of making them magical; picnics in the country, long car rides to explore California's missions, the various discoveries made en route to South Dakota during summer vacations, and the Girl Scout camping trip and horseback ride in Yosemite thrilled her. Santa Cruz was her favorite destination any time of year and where many of her happiest times were spent. Her radiant smile and the ever-present twinkle in her eye made everyone feel special and loved.
Vi was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, godmother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many people.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Thomas E. Thornton "Bud," and her second, Delbert M. Knudson; most of her siblings; a few of her nieces and nephews; and a multitude of friends.
She is survived by her daughters: Patti Thornton, Kathy Grinstead, Patty Timko; son, Brian Knudson; grandchildren: Dustin Blaylock, Melissa Ogden, Breana Blaylock, Gary Grinstead, Aaron Grinstead, Angela Johnson, and Edward Timko; six great-grandchildren; god-son, Monte Harmon; god-daughter, Kim Wood; sister, Lois Rystrom; brother, Bill Schaunaman; her best friend since arriving in Fresno 67 years ago, Ima Delle Killion; and a few generations of nieces and nephews.
Violet lived a full life, blessed with love, faith and rich experiences. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to your favorite charity, the Alzheimer's Association, or to Rotary Club of Fresno Foundation.
A memorial service will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 3973 N. Cedar Ave., Fresno, CA on Monday, May 6, 2013, at 1:30 p.m.