Aletha Bernice Knowlton
December 10, 1919 to April 26, 2011
Aletha was born in Alexandria, Minnesota, the youngest child of Adolph and Bertha Pfeiffer. Her helpful, trustworthy, quiet, and caring ways developed as she and her siblings grew up on her parent’s farm.
She attended public elementary school in Alexandria, Minnesota; Maplewood Academy in Hutchinson, Minnesota; and Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. She received her degree in home economics as well as her secondary teaching certificate. In her career, Aletha taught in Minneapolis, Remer, and at Cook County High School in Grand Marais. She also worked for the Department of Social Services where she served as an accountant.
Her home was certified as an adult foster care facility. Several Cook County residents have benefited from Aletha’s gifted care giving.
She was married to Lamoin O. Knowlton in 1942. Lamoin and Aletha had three children – Delwyn, Gary, and Mary Kay. Lamoin was a science teacher at Cook County High School and was also the owner/operator of Knowlton Plumbing and Heating.
When Lamoin weakened physically, Aletha administered home kidney dialysis over a two-year period. Lamoin passed away in 1987.
Aletha will be remembered as a dedicated woman of strong faith. She was an active member of the Grand Marais Seventh-day Adventist Church, where she held several church offices and supported many mission projects.
Her family and friends enjoyed the benefits of her skills in cooking and sewing. An avid reader, she especially enjoyed reading the Bible and books on nature, faith, and Christian service. She enjoyed the great Northwoods and the animals and birds that visited her yard feeders. Her ability to nurture was evident even in the many plants that graced her home.
She was the loving mother of three, grandmother of eight and great-grandmother of 14, with two forthcoming.
Aletha is survived by her children Del Knowlton (Linda) of Langley, B.C., Canada; Gary Knowlton (Gisela) of Belding, MI; Mary Kay Carlson (Rudy) of Duluth, MN; grandchildren Janine Wagner (Mark) of Bend, OR; Jeremy Knowlton (Shonda) of Tacoma, WA; Corey Knowlton (Kim) of San Bernardino, CA; Andrew Knowlton (Pamela) of Belmont, MI; Aaron Knowlton (Joyce) of Highland, CA; Melissa Chaffee (Ryan) of Eau Claire, WI; Andrea Carlson (Ted Cushman) of Minneapolis, MN; Karah Moody (Arthur) of Tampa, FL; great-grandchildren Levi and Courtney Wagner; Shrade Knowlton; Joshua, Jacob, and Javan Knowlton; Caleb, Alex, Samuel, and Erin Knowlton; Malia and Kai Knowlton; Kyle and Korey Chaffee.
Preceding Aletha in death were her parents, Bertha and Adolph Pfeiffer; her husband, Lamoin; her brothers, Frank and Harold; and her sister, Florence.
A Bible verse that provided her much encouragement was Isaiah 26:3. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.”
Interment will be at the Maple Hill Cemetery. A memorial service will be held in conjunction with a family reunion on July 30, 2011.
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