Marilyn Evanna (Guyer) Knutsen

Marilyn Evanna (Guyer) Knutsen, 86, of Clermont, Iowa passed away peacefully on June 16, 2024. Marilyn was born on November 27, 1937, to Victor and Jennie (Wolf) Guyer. She was baptized on June 26, 1938, and confirmed on April 27, 1952, at West Clermont Lutheran Church, Clermont, Iowa. Marilyn graduated from Clermont High School in 1955 and received a teaching certificate from Upper Iowa University in 1957. In high school and college, she was very active in speech and drama, receiving many Division I ratings.

In 1956, Marilyn met Walter Knutsen at the Fayette County Fair and upon his return from the military they married on April 11, 1959, at West Clermont Lutheran Church. Walter passed away in 2019 just shy of their 60th wedding anniversary. They lived in West Union for 9 years until moving to the family farm south of Ossian and stayed there for 21 years. After leaving the farm, they lived in Postville for 18 years, Clermont for 13 years, and most recently, Marilyn resided at Stoney Brook Village in West Union for over 2 years.

Throughout the years, Marilyn taught fourth grade for three years in Clermont and second grade for three years in West Union. She left teaching to raise her four children. Eventually, she returned to work and was employed by Atwood in West Union for over 13 years and later owned and operated the Brick City Mercantile in Clermont for over 10 years.

Marilyn had many hobbies including bowling, playing cards with friends, sewing/quilting, golfing, reading, and gardening. For several years, she entered her produce and flowers in the Fayette County Fair. Additionally, she planned annual family camping & fishing trips to Canada. Marilyn was known for her sense of humor, compassion, delicious apple pie, and the many quilts that she made for each of her children and grandchildren. A cherished moment was a trip to Norway with Walter and her three daughters for a Knutsen family reunion in May of 2000.

Marilyn and Walter were members of Zion Lutheran Church in West Union for 30 years where she was involved with the ladies’ groups and taught Sunday School. Later upon moving to Postville, they rejoined her childhood congregation at West Clermont Lutheran Church for an additional 30 years where she sang in the choir, was involved in the Women of the ELCA by making hundreds of quilts and participated in Sarah Circle.

Marilyn is survived by siblings Gerald (Vada) Guyer of Postville, Iowa; Lucille Severson of Monona, Iowa; Arnold (Debbie) Guyer of Clermont, Iowa; Ernest (Monica) Guyer of Lindale, Texas; sisters-in-law Sally Guyer of Elgin, Iowa; and Doris (Knutsen) Guyer of Clermont, Iowa. Four children: Mark (Patricia) Knutsen of Marion, Iowa; Karen (David) Miller of Clermont, Iowa; Kristine (Jason) Lenberg of Altoona, Wisconsin; and Karla (Rich) Ehr of Kirksville, Missouri. She had 15 grandchildren: Jennifer Otten of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Jillian (Joe) Svendsen of Las Vegas, Nevada; Jessica Page of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Kjerstin Miller of Clermont, Iowa; Rebecca (Caleb) Bushbaum of La Crosse, Wisconsin; William Miller (Emma Baker) of Independence, Iowa; Ajay Lenberg, Kimberly Lenberg and Victoria Lenberg of Altoona, Wisconsin; Amanda (Andrew) Perry, James Ehr and Chloe Ehr of Kirksville, Missouri; Krista Coddington of Shoreview, Minnesota; Jeremy (Samantha) Lee of Rockledge, Florida; and Justin (Cassandra) Lee of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 13 great grandchildren and one on the way; and many nieces and nephews.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Jennie Guyer; parents-in-law Knut and Amanda Knutsen; husband, Walter Knutsen; sister, Sylvia Loftsgard; brother, Leslie Guyer; brothers-in-law, Orvin Loftsgard, Eldon Severson, Stanley “Ken” Knutsen and Rodney Guyer; and one infant great-grandson.

Service and visitation will be held at West Clermont Lutheran Church, Clermont. The funeral service will be held at 11am on Friday, June 21st. Visitations will be held from 4-7pm on Thursday, June 20th and one hour prior to the funeral. Reverend Mike Erickson serving as the officiant.

Marilyn’s burial will be at God’s Acres Cemetery in Clermont. A meal and fellowship will follow at the church.

Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Clermont is helping the family with arrangements.

Click here to visit the Schutte-Grau Funeral Home website.