Bernita Helena (Roemhildt) Knutson, 74

 Bernita Helena (Roemhildt) Knutson, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 13, 2025, while surrounded by family at Mayo Hospital in Eau Claire, WI, at the age of 74.

 Bernita was born in Faribault, MN, on November 7th, 1950, to Elmer Hugo Roemhildt (1918–1972) and Irene Viola (Geyer) Roemhildt (1923–2005) as the fifth of seven children. She was baptized, confirmed, and attended kindergarten through grade school at St. Peter’s (Bell) Church. She then attended Waterville-Elysian High School. Bernita got married on August 19, 1968, to Jonathan Dean Knutson, with whom she recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary. Over the years, Bernita worked at Herter’s, EF Johnsons, and Brown Printing in Waseca, MN. In May of 1983, Bernita and Jon moved their family to St. Cloud, MN, where they started their own business and were self-employed for over 40 years, selling Rainbow vacuums and then later installing DirecTV satellites. Through their businesses, they were able to travel to China, Hong Kong, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and all over the U.S. She was a master at keeping everything running from behind the scenes, along with all the bookkeeping, until they retired in 2021.

Bernita will be remembered for her love for cooking and trying new recipes, along with growing a garden for canning, and her ability to master new technology. She dedicated her life to her family; she was always there with a loving, listening ear to talk to, with her warm embrace and strong wisdom. Her accomplishments in life were many, but her greatest pleasure was her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bernita is survived by her loving husband, Jonathan of Sauk Rapids; daughters, Christine (Brandt) Block of St. Cloud and Patricia (Sean) VanDalen of Foley; grandchildren, Benjamin Knutson of St. Cloud, Ashley (Romeago) Metho of St. Cloud, Julia VanDalen (fiancé Kyle Holmberg) of Anoka, Seth VanDalen of Foley, Zachary VanDalen of Foley; great-grandchildren, Aweikara Metho, Akoth Metho, Ebaweha Metho, Muabet Metho, Moachebe Metho, Kurwa Metho; sisters, Clarice Scaub of Waseca, Verna (Ward) Hering of Waterville, Janelle (Jim) Hoehn of Elysian; brother Scott Roemhildt of Elysian; brother-in-law Michael (Barb) Knutson of Marcus, IA; and by many nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

Bernita was preceded in death by her only son Nathan Jon Knutson; parents, Elmer H. and Irene V. Roemhildt; brother, Lloyd E. Roemhildt Sr.; sister, Catherine (Roemhildt) Krenik; grandparents, Walter and Helena (Quiram) Roemhildt and Fred and Catherine (Kline) Geyer; in-laws, Ornell and Marion (Olson) Knutson; brother-in-law David Knutson; and many uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.

Celebration of Life Services will be at St. Peter’s Bell Lutheran Church – North Elysian, 21377 Tetonka LK Rd, Waterville, on May 17, 2025, at 11 a.m. Visitation will be 1 hour before the service. Burial immediately following the services. Lunch will be provided in the Church Fellowship Hall for those who’d like to gather after the services.