Carol Belle Knudsen, 94, of Marion, ND, passed away on January 23, 2025, at home with family by her side, having recently been admitted to CHI Hospice.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 26, at Grace Methodist Church in Marion, ND from 5:00 to 6:00 PM, followed by a prayer service at 6:00 PM, with additional time to visit afterward. A funeral service will take place at 1:00 PM on Monday, January 27, at Grace Methodist Church. Carol will be laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery in Marion this spring.
Carol was born on December 17, 1930, to Leonard and Dora (Young) Arduser at home in Saratoga Township, LaMoure County, ND. She grew up on a farm near Marion with her parents and two younger sisters. She graduated from Marion High School in 1949 and attended Jamestown College for one year.
On December 17, 1950—her birthday—Carol married Melvin H. Knudsen. They first made their home in Wyndmere, ND, where Melvin worked as a teacher. In 1959, they returned to rural Marion to begin farming and raise their five children. Melvin passed away in 2010.
In addition to her responsibilities as a mother and farm wife, Carol served as the business manager of Marion Public School for many years. She also worked at the Marion bank for a short time. Carol was well known for her cooking and baking—no one ever left Carol’s house hungry, and if they did, as she would say, it was their own fault! Carol’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were treated to a homemade angel food birthday cake each year if they lived nearby.
She found great joy in watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow and cherished their visits. An active member of the Marion United Methodist Church, she also served as treasurer of the United Methodist Women’s group for several years. Additionally, she taught Sunday School classes and was a 4-H leader.
Carol requested that memorial tributes be made as charitable donations to Grace Methodist Church in Marion or Service Dogs for America in Jud, ND.
Carol is survived by her five children: Bruce (Sena) Knudsen of Newark, OH; Brion (Vicki) Knudsen of Marion, ND; Byron (Becky) Knudsen of Marion, ND; Beverly (Matthew) Mack of Devils Lake, ND; and Becky (Jed) Swegarden of Lake Park, MN.
She is also survived by 15 grandchildren: Eva (Joel) Garringer, Gabriel (Nazanin) Knudsen, Reba Allen, Isaac Knudsen, Clint (Darcie) Knudsen, Bonnie (Matt) Bowen, Lucas Knudsen, Wesley Knudsen, Kenny Knudsen, Travis Mack, Lee Mack, Heidi (Jaydon) Grafsgaard, Mason (Anna) Swegarden, Jessie (Tory) Haglund, and Jayda Swegarden, along with several great-grandchildren.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Melvin; her sisters, Margaret Egli and Julia Arduser-Thomas; and her granddaughter, Cynthia Knudsen.
Carol will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her.
The Lerud Mathias Funeral Home, Valley City, ND is assisting Carol’s family with arrangements. The funeral service will be live streamed, then archived, on a link provided along with her obituary on her tribute page at www.lerudmathias.com. An online guestbook is available there as well.