Dorothy Bernice Knudsen, 88 of Hopkins, died Thursday, Nov. 29, at Sentinel Pointe Retirement Community in Grand Rapids.Dorothy was born Oct. 16, 1930, in Winthrop, Mass., the daughter of the late Augustus and Veronica (Blakely) Evans and the wife of the late Donald E. Knudsen. She spent her working years as a payroll clerk for Michigan Bell and sold Avon and to many was known as the “Avon Lady.”
She and her husband, Donald, were members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Watson for more than 60 years. Dorothy and Donald married in June 1950 in Chicago and moved to Hopkins in 1952 where they raised their two children together.
Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Deborah Strang, four grandchildren, Christopher (Ashley) Strang, Katherine Murray, Jessica (Eric) Zenn and Zachary (Kendra) Strang; eight great-grandchildren, Jayson, Jacob, Josie, Allyson, Julia, Zoey, Callie and Emma.
Besides her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Barry Knudsen in 2017; and her sister, Frances Dollar.
Friends may meet with the family from 4 to 6 p.m Monday, Dec. 3, at Gorden Funeral Residence, Hopkins Chapel, where the Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m.. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Christopher Derda celebrant. Interment at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made in Dorothy’s name to Kindred Hospice of Grand Rapids, 625 Kenmoor Ave. SE #115, Grand Rapids, 49546.