Knox passed away on

March 23, 2016 in her

home in Yuma, AZ. Elna

had been a snowbird for

twenty years, spending

her summers in Sher-

wood, ND.

Born on the family farm

July 5, 1928, her parents

Carl and Carrie Knutson

blessed her with 10 si-

blings.

Elna loved learning and

attending school. She gra-

duated early, then began

teaching grades 1 through

8 in a one room school

house, Hammerly #6,

when she was 18 years

old.

She learned how to fly

and received her pilot’s

license when she was

twenty. She met her fu-

ture husband Orris Knox

at the airport; he watched

her land the plane she

was piloting, and was

very impressed!

On June 18, 1950 Elna

and Orris, along with her

sister Melba and her fi-

ance Gary Gilseth, were

united in marriage in a

double ring ceremony.

Three children were

welcomed into the family

starting with Mark in

1951, Sheila in 1954, and

Scott in 1958.

In 1960 the family

moved from Sherwood to

Minot. Elna was busy

volunteering time with

Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts,

and room mother in ele-

mentary school. She

served as President of the

Ladies Aide at First Luth-

eran Church, and was a

member of the Sons of

Norway.

Elna was an avid reader

and writer all her life. She

read everything she could

get her hands on and

learned something new

everyday. She was always

ready for a new adventure

and loved Scrabble, word

games, and puzzles. She

also loved music and

dancing at the Golden

Road Runner in Yuma.

She kept a diary or

journal for over 80 years.

In her eighth decade she

published her book

“Mostly About Mama”;

written from the notes

and diaries she’d kept.

Her book was made into a

play performed the 100th

Anniversary Celebration

of Minot State University.

In addition to her three

children Elna leaves a

brother Trygve Knutson,

and sisters Carolyn

Houmann and Thelma

Nelson. Grandchildren

Dennis Knox, Justin

Haase, Michael and Ryan

Pankratz. Great grandchil-dren Caitlin, Izabella, and

Blake Knox, and Noah

Haase.

A Celebration of Elna’s

life is planned for July at

her son’s home in Sher-

wood, ND.