Dorothy Knudson

It is with great sadness that the family of Dorothy Irene Knudson announce her passing on April 28, 2025, at the age of 94.

On April 4, 1931, Dorothy Moore was born on the family farm near Botna, Iowa, to Clinton and Alice (McKeever) Moore. As a small child, she enjoyed caring for the animals with her dad, helping her mother with household chores, and playing in the yard with her brothers, Edward and Robert.

In 1947, Clausie Strosahl and Dorothy were married; they lived on the farm north of Manning where they operated the farm and raised four children, Dianna, Marilyn, Carolyn, and William. After Clausie’s passing in 1974, Dorothy remained on the farm until moving to town in 1981.

In 1982, Dorothy met and married Ralph Grundmeier. During her marriage to Ralph, the two traveled to countless dances, playing with the polka band, Jolly Home Brewers. When they weren’t busy with ceramics or music, traveling the continental US was their favorite pastime. After Ralph’s passing in 1992, Dorothy continued to travel with friends.

On a bus trip to New England, in 1993, Dorothy met Kenneth Knudson and the two were later married in 1994. They enjoyed traveling both stateside and abroad, visiting China, Holland, Norway, the Holy Land, and countless other places around the world. For a third time, in 2018, Dorothy was widowed after Kenny’s passing.

Dorothy was not one to be sitting idle. In her younger years, she spent multiple years working in Manning both at Ral-Mar’s Café and later at the Manning Municipal Gas Office, for 18 years. If she wasn’t embroidering, knitting, or quilting, she could be found serving her community in one of many volunteer roles. For nearly thirty-five years, she volunteered routinely at the Manning Plaza, assisting with activities and enriching the lives of the residents. For 22 years, Dorothy was a tour guide at the Haus Barn in Manning. (She even kept a log of all tours she led and where the guests had originated from.) In addition, she was a member of the Tri-county Social Club and served as a board member of the Manning Housing Corporation.

All who knew Dorothy will remember her contagious laugh and deep faith in God. She humbly served our Lord through the ministries at Zion Lutheran Church as a charter member of the Evening Circle, teaching Sunday School and Catechism. It was through her church that she made many of her strongest connections; namely Pastor and Diane Riggert, who were her dearest friends until her last day. It was through all of these servant activities that she touched the lives of many with her vivacious, faithful spirit and ability to bring a smile to the face of those around her. May her laugh be the legacy we carry with us as we mourn Dorothy’s passing.

Dorothy will lovingly be remembered by her children: Dianna (Allen) Seedorff of Elk Run Heights, Marilyn (Gail) Mumm of Westside, Carolyn (Randy) McLimans of Sabula, and Bill (Joleen) Strosahl of Council Bluffs; three stepchildren: James (Debra) Knudson of Waterloo, Carol (Mike) Chalberg of Gilbert, Arizona and Mary Smidt of Turtle Lake, Wisconsin; grandchildren: Lori (Chad) Petersen, Tina Weller, Timothy Seedorff, Anthony (Candie) Mumm, Brenda Irlbeck, Heidi Seedorff, Joel (Clarae) Mumm, Devon (Warren) Strosahl, Angie Weller (Ryan Sammon), Lauren Strosahl and Adam (Shannon) McLimans; great-grandchildren carrying Dorothy’s legacy include: Allyson Irlbeck, Colton Petersen, Amber Irlbeck, Brandon Petersen, Camryn Kreitzinger, Teagen Mumm, Cohen Mumm, Christopher Mumm, Ariana Seedorff, Olivia Seedorff, Declan Sammon and Thorin Sammon; and great-great-grandson, Kylan Rodriguez; brother: Robert Moore of Carroll; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Dorothy was preceded in death by husbands: Clausie Strosahl, Ralph Grundmeier, and Kenneth Knudson; parents; grandson, Gregory Weller; and brother, Edward Moore.

Visitation with family greeting friends will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the Ohde Funeral Home in Manning. Her funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church also in Manning with interment to follow in the Manning Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church or Care Initiatives Hospice.