Christie Louise Knudsen's Obituary
Christie Louise Knudsen, 97, passed away at her home in Fort Myers, FL on March 23, 2022. Born in Paducah, KY on November 17, 1924, she was the daughter of the late Chester W. Kerth and Christie Kolb Kerth and younger sister of the late Mary Elizabeth Woods. Christie married Arthur K. Knudsen, Jr. on December 21, 1947. After 64 years of marriage, Art preceded her in death in 2012. Christie is survived by her daughter, Christie Karol Knudsen of Fort Myers, her granddaughter, Andrea Schuch of Cape Coral, her grandson, Brian Kerth Schuch and wife Natsuko, and her great-grandsons, Avery Schuch, Skylar Schuch, and Riley Schuch, all of Matsuyama, Japan. She was surrounded in life by her loving nieces and nephews: Mike Woods (Val) and their children Tami, Tim, Shane, and Tom, their 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; Mary Kristie Smith (Todd) and their children Chase and Adam; Lisa Woods; John Woods (Bitsy) and their son Matthew Coghlan Woods who preceded them in death, their daughter Caroline Kerth Woods (Toy Beeninga) and their granddaughter Claire Elizabeth Beeninga.
At Michigan State University Christie met Art and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics. She received her Hospital Dietician certification from Massachusetts General Hospital in 1947 and then worked for the Michigan Department of Health. She married Art while he was attending Duke University Law School and moved with him to Durham, NC where she was Dietician for Southgate Dormitory at Duke.
Christie and Art moved to Fort Myers in 1950 where Art and George Allen formed the Allen and Knudsen law firm. Christie focused her love and considerable talents on her family, friends and community. She and Art were charter members of the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church and Christie was renowned for cooking large and delicious church dinners, especially for the annual Mother-Daughter banquet.
In 1953 Christie joined the Lee Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and was an active auxiliary volunteer for 66 years. She served as president of the Auxiliary, chairman of the Annual Auxiliary Bazaar, and completed her Hospital Auxiliary career by volunteering in the Blood Bank. Christie also delivered Meals on Wheels, served as secretary for the American Cancer Society, and was a member of the Elizabeth Benevolent Society. In 1997 Christie was recognized for her outstanding community service as the RSVP Volunteer of the Year.
Christie and Art were long-time members of the Cypress Lake Country Club where Christie played in the Cypress Lake Ladies League. Christie and Art loved traveling and took many memorable golfing trips in Europe and the US with friends. They took driving trips throughout Europe with her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Liz and Jack Woods, river cruises on the Delta Queen, and vacations with her grandchildren, Andrea and Brian. In later years, Christie was able to travel to Japan five times to visit Brian, Natsuko and her great-grandchildren. She and Christie Karol also cruised to Alaska and New England.
Christie was loved as an “aunt” by many and as a wonderful friend to many others. She was exceptionally kind and thoughtful. She always had time to help others and could whip up a delicious meal for friends and family without a second thought. Holidays and family birthdays were always joyfully celebrated at Aunt Sis’s and Uncle Art’s. She loved cheering for Duke basketball and loved playing bridge. She made many special friends at the bridge table throughout her life.
Christie was once described as “one in a million.” She certainly enriched the lives of those who knew and loved her, and she will be greatly missed, but always loved. At her request there will be no service. Gifts in memory of Christie may be made to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 4141 Deleon Street, Fort Myers, 33901 or to the Lee Health Foundation (leehealthfoundation.org), 9800 South HealthPark Drive, #405, Fort Myers, 33908, or to the charity of your choice. Online condolences for Christie may be posted on her memorial webpage at www.fortmyersmemorial.com
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