Marlys Y. Knudson

Marlys Knudson, 89, of Iowa Falls, passed away Sunday, September 21, 2025 at Scenic Manor. She will be laid to rest with a memorial service and inurnment at a later date. Woodley Funeral Home and Crematory of Iowa Falls is caring for Marlys and her family. Marlys Yvonne Knudson was born on January 23, 1936 to Alvin and Etta (Kies) Kowalke at her grandparent’s home in Lake View, Iowa. She was raised on a farm three and a half miles east of Early, Iowa. She attended and graduated from Early Consolidated Schools, where she participated in many school activities. Marlys was president of student council and learned to love basketball and music. She was a drum majorette in band, where she sang solos and was in trios and sextets. After graduation Marlys attended Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. While there, she participated in vocal music, serving as drum major of the marching band and was a homecoming queen attendant. Marlys majored in Elementary Education and taught the first grade in Holstein, Iowa for two years and then kindergarten in Schaller, Iowa for two years. On June 7, 1957 Marlys married Wm. Craig Knudson at the First United Presbyterian Church in Early, Iowa. Their first son, Jeffrey Craig was born May 30, 1959 at the Buena Vista Hospital in Storm Lake, Iowa. Marlys moved to Iowa Falls with her husband and son in 1961. Their second son, Kurtis Dean was born January 30, 1963 at Ellsworth Hospital in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Marlys lived in Iowa Falls for over 64 years. While in Iowa Falls, Marlys helped with the Remedial Reading Program, assisted in the Kiddie Kampus Nursery School, worked at General Publishing Cook Book Company and as a receptionist in the dental offices of Dr. Neil Rowley and Dr. Craig Miller. Marlys was a proud member of the First United Methodist Church and Sunday school class, The Forum. She enjoyed participating in Bridge Club, Birthday Club and Etude Club and delivered Meals on Wheels. Marlys held many offices, serving as past president of AFS, Ellsworth College faculty wives and Quester’s Club. She was a mentor with the Iowa Falls Schools for seven years. Marlys sang the Messiah in Schaller under the direction of her husband, and sang in the Iowa Falls Congregational Church Choir, and in Etude Club. Marlys loved her flower garden and to decorate and sew cloth dolls. She made ancestry books and photo scrapbooks for each of her four granddaughters. She also designed their two homes that they had built. Those that she leaves behind to live their lives to the fullest are her husband, Craig Knudson; sons, Jeffrey (Renee) Knudson of St. Augustine, Florida, Kurtis (Tammy) Knudson of Iowa Falls, Iowa and sister in-law, Sheri Kowalke. She has four beautiful granddaughters: Sarah Ann, Abigail Jane, Brooke Elizabeth and Kayla Sue and her pride and joy, great-grandchildren, Kingston Carter Collins and Blair Kimberly Birchmier. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Marlys was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Etta Kowalke; mother and father in-law, Gerry and Lars Knudson; brother, Vernon Kowalke; sister in-law, Carolyn Campbell; brother in-law, Paul Campbell; daughter in-law, Sharon Knudson and nephew, Jason Kowalke.

Tributes

Marlys Y. Knudson

January 23, 1936 - September 21, 2025