Elsie L. Knuteson

Elsie Knuteson, 96, passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND surrounded by her loving family.

Elsie Lucille Flesberg was born on November 8, 1929, in Fargo, to Lars and Jennie (Strandvold) Flesberg. She attended rural grade school and later graduated from Oak Grove High School in Fargo before continuing her education at Dakota Business College.

She began her career at NDSU, working as a secretary in the chemistry department. It was there that she met the love of her life, John D. Knuteson, while typing his master’s thesis. The two were married on May 14, 1950, at Osterdalen Lutheran Church in rural Argusville, ND. Although her given name was Elsie, John affectionately called her “Susie,” a name that many of their friends also came to use.

John and Susie made their home in Minneapolis, MN, where John worked for the 3M Company. They later moved to Columbia Heights, a suburb of Minneapolis, where they raised their five children. In 1971, the family relocated to Nevada, MO, when 3M opened a new plant there. They remained in Nevada following John’s retirement in 1989.

Throughout their years in Nevada, MO, Elsie and John were active members of St. Paul Lutheran Church and the Nevada Country Club. Elsie generously donated her time to the P.E.O. Sisterhood of Cottey College, supporting students, faculty, and scholarships. She also cherished time spent with friends through her weekly ladies’ coffee club and bridge club.

Following John’s death in 2012, Elsie continued to live in Nevada, MO, where she was surrounded by close friends who welcomed her into their family gatherings and holiday celebrations. In September of 2024, she moved to Fargo to be closer to family.

Elsie is survived by her children: daughters Peggy (Bryan) Dehn of Leonard, ND, and Amy Kyte of Canfield, OH; and son David (Vanessa Kinton) Knuteson of Ellicott City, MD. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Donna Flesberg of Fargo; grandchildren John (Kyle) Knuteson of Memphis, TN; Matthew (Gabby) Dehn of West Fargo, ND; Jonathan (Kristen) Kyte of Glen Allen, VA; Tiffany (Brian) Nguyen of Fargo; Phu (Kham) Ha of Illinois; Thinh Ha of Texas; and Monica Ha of Hawaii.

She is further survived by her great-grandchildren: Ryder Dehn; Tina (Brian) Nguyen; Christopher Nguyen; James (Quan) Nguyen; Jonathan Nguyen; Briana Nguyen; Paulina Ha; and Philip Ha; as well as great-great-grandchildren Connor and Devin Nguyen, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John; daughters Kathleen Knuteson-Olson and Joan Knuteson; and brothers Everett and Harvey Flesberg.

A Celebration of Life will be held later this spring.