Obituary

Remembering Joan

Joan May Knutson, 71, of Laguna Woods, passed away September 1, 2013 with her children by her side.

Joan was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 26th 1942 to Florence and Joseph Nemtusak. She received her primary education in the Chicago public school system and graduated from Gage Park High School in 1960. She married Larry Knutson in 1966. They were blessed with 2 daughters and 1 son. They moved to Newbury Park, California in 1975 to be near Joan’s brother Joe and his family, where they lived for 22 years. She divorced Larry in 1986 and moved to Laguna Woods in 1997, to be near her daughter Kerry and the beach. Joan loved crossword puzzles – a love she inherited from her mother – and could be found working on one every morning. She also loved to follow politics and enjoyed watching tennis. She was particular about who she liked and more importantly who she disliked. Joan was known for her sense of humor, sharp wit, and being an overall fun person to be around. She was always up for a party, especially with family every summer in Arizona. She loved to cook dinners for her grandkids. They will always remember what an amazing cook she was.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents Florence and Joseph and her sister Nancy.

Joan is survived by her brothers Joseph (Judy) of Newbury Park, CA, Dave of Phoenix, AZ; sister Carol (Andrew) of Atlanta GA; daughters Kerry of Aliso Viejo, CA, Kristy (Derrick) of Las Vegas, NV; Son Lawrence (Lara) of Denver, CO, Stepdaughter Karen (Steve) of MN; 8 grandchildren: Justin, Ashley, Maya, Hannah, Malia, Emma, Tyson, Ben; and 2 step grandchildren Amy and Missy. She also leaves behind to cherish her memory many nieces and nephews, friends Paula and Sean, and her Costco friends.