Margretta Knutson

Margretta Ann "Toodie" Knutson (Ramaley), age 94 of Forest Lake, was greeted in Heaven by her beloved Alton on Friday, October 21, 2016. She was born in St. Paul on April 29, 1922 and was a 1943 graduate of the Fairview School of Nursing. Her love for nursing and missions guided her throughout her life. It was while working at Fairview that she met Alton Knutson. Mom stated, "It was love at first sight!" and they were united in marriage on September 17, 1943. They were married just shy of 73 years when Alton passed away on September 13, 2016. With their joint calling to missions, they worked side by side to spread the Gospel in Japan for 33 years and after retirement, as volunteers in Kenya, Mazatlán, Mexico and Forest Lake. In the 1930s, Toodie's parents built a cabin on the North Shore of Clear Lake, where Toodie spent her summers as a child, she and Alton honeymooned, and they later retired. Toodie had many talents which she lovingly shared with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchild. She enjoyed singing, gardening, fishing, oil and water color painting, sewing and needlework. She also enjoyed teaching Vacation Bible School, teaching English as a Second Language, singing in the church choir, coordinating mission projects, and being active in her church women's circle. As a politically concerned citizen, she proudly cast her vote before her death to insure that her voice would be heard. She will be cherished as a generous woman of both mind and spirit who always found time to open her heart and home to family, friends, and strangers. Toodie was preceded in death by her husband, Alton; parents, Howard and Ella (Rasmussen) Ramaley; brother, Howard. Survivors include children, Judith (Jerry) Klemm, Stephen, Ann (Nelson) Laughton, Sue (Orville) Williamschen; grandchildren, Villery, Troy, Amy, Erin, Matt, Kirsten, Annika; great-grandchildren, Ashlynn, Malachi, Nehum, Ella, Karter, Kayla, Briyana, Kaylee, William, Adelyn, Lars; sister, Elizabeth Jacobson; brother, Robert (Jane) Ramaley, and many friends throughout the world. A Celebration of Toodie's life will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, October 30, 2016 at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment at Faith Lutheran Memorial Prayer Garden. A luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Global Health Ministries or Faith Lutheran Church-Music program.

Funeral Home: Mattson Funeral Home 343 North Shore Drive Forest Lake, MN US 55025

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Previous Events

Visitation
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Service
Sunday, October 30, 2016
cemetery
Sunday, October 30, 2016

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