Annabel Knudsen Obituary

Annabel Knudsen (Ann) passed away at Village at Skyline in Colorado Springs on August 12, where she had been living and undergoing care for several months. She was born in Sioux City, Iowa on August 19, 1923. Lyle, her husband of 67 years, was with her until the end. She was strong and dedicated in her Christian faith. She will be greatly missed by children, grandchildren, and friends.

She is survived by children Becky (Gary) Englebright of Littleton, CO, Dr. David Knudsen of Brookings, SD, and grandchildren Maggie Sampson and Nicky Englebright of Denver, and Dr Eric Knudsen of Philadelphia. She was preceded in death by her son Brian Knudsen. All of these were very close to Ann and loved her very much.



She graduated from Central High School in Sioux City in 1941 and from Wayne State (NE) Teachers College in 1945. She worked in a battery factory in Sioux City during the war and waited for Lyle to get home so they could marry. She later taught school in Iowa and North Carolina for some years and then went on to raising children. She taught high school math and home economics. She was a skilled seamstress and recently still had the treadmill Singer her mother taught her on beginning at about age 7.

Ann was active in and a founding member of Village Christian Church of Colorado Springs. She was its Education Superintendent from 1957 until the early 70's. She designed and helped build the strong youth and children program that the church had during that time and worked in many church functions since. She along with many other members of the church spent a lot of time working with Christmas Unlimited from the 1970's on, which at that time was a completely volunteer operation providing a happy Christmas to needy children in the area.

Her primary hobby recently was chair caning as a student of Paul Kunkle's at the Senior Center for over 20 years. She has put many completed chairs in her own and family homes. She was very proud of her chairs and loved to show them off. She and Lyle traveled a lot, mostly after his retirement, going on tours to almost all of the countries in Europe and some in Asia and Africa as well as personal trips to all of the 50 states. She and Lyle were long time square and round dancers with several groups.

A memorial service will be held at Village Christian Church (3113 Primrose) on September 1 at 3 PM.

In lieu of flowers, cash gifts can go to the Ann Knudsen Memorial Fund at Village Church; proceeds will go to a special church project or an appropriate charity selected by the church.