Lynne Knutson Knickerbocker

Lynne Knutson Knickerbocker, age 71, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, peacefully walked into the loving arms of God at home surrounded by her family in Littleton, Colorado on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 after facing cancer with unimaginable grace and strength. From her birth in Mankato, Minnesota on June 21, 1948, to her death on Tuesday she illuminated the planet with her love of people (especially children), God, and gift shops.

Lynne was raised to embody the Golden Rule by her mother Vonnie (Mitchell) and father Glen Knutson. After leaving Minnesota, she lived most of her childhood and early adulthood in Tucson, Arizona with her brothers Gregg, Tim and Kelley. After graduating in 1966 from Salpointe Catholic High School where her future husband, Robert Knickerbocker, saw her across the library and knew she was a jewel, she attended Northern Arizona University where she earned a BA in Education. She moved to Colorado to follow her love of mountains and pine trees and to begin her teaching career--and Bob followed her. They married on June 17, 1972 at Most Precious Blood Parish in Denver, Colorado and raised three children, Karen, Sara and Adam.

Throughout her career, Lynne lovingly taught hundreds of children. She was especially passionate about her years teaching kindergarten and first grade at St. Mary’s of Littleton. She also taught in Adams County Public Schools and at Centennial Lutheran Preschool. As a catechist, she rejoiced in every opportunity to share God’s unconditional love with her students. She earned her Master’s Degree in Education in 1993 and went on to author multiple books focused on cultivating the spirituality of children and their parents.

In addition to her beloved husband of 47 years, Bob, those left to honor Lynne and pass along her incredible legacy of love and generosity are her three children, Karen (Justin Collins) Knickerbocker, Sara (J. Ryann Peyton) Knickerbocker, and Adam (Danielle) Knickerbocker; four beloved grandchildren: Alexander, Samantha, Archer and Montgomery, and her two dear brothers Tim (Patricia) Knutson and Kelley (Carol Walsh-Knutson) Knutson and many treasured nieces, nephews, and cousins. Because Lynne believed that friends are the family we choose for ourselves, she is also survived by countless people she considered family. Lynne was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Gregg Knutson.

Lynne will be remembered for her radiant kindness, her luminous smile, and an uncanny ability to make every person with whom she spoke feel like the only one that mattered in the world. Her marriage to Bob was a model of unconditional devotion and deep friendship. She was a passionately curious human being who travelled to 22 countries and numerous states because she valued opportunities to broaden her perspective. She treasured people and their stories, and spent much of her time planning and gathering gifts to remind her friends and family how much they mattered.

Lynne was a lifelong learner and teacher, her greatest lesson being that everyone is worthy of love and belonging. She demonstrated an indomitable spirit in the face of great challenge. Small faith groups were a source of deep relationship and community throughout her life. Above all, she was a brilliant and enthusiastic grandmother who sparkled—sharing s’mores around a campfire, orchestrating indoor snowball fights and stocking pajamas and swimsuits in all the appropriate sizes just in case a spontaneous slumber party or swim date with the grandkids presented itself.

A Catholic funeral mass, officiated by Reverend John Paul Leyba, will be held on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 10:30 am at St. Frances Cabrini Parish, 6673 W Chatfield Ave, Littleton, CO. Interment will follow at Littleton Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at Olinger Chapel Hill on Monday, February 24, 2020 at 5:00 pm. Guests are encouraged to wear colorful attire to all gatherings at Lynne’s request.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Lynne’s name to Cabrini Cupboard Food Bank (www.sfcparish.org/community-outreach) and The Gathering Place (tgpdenver.org). Additionally, please consider bringing donations of non-perishable food items or grocery giftcards to the Celebration of Life and Catholic funeral mass. Please log on to the virtual guest book and share a memory at www.OlingerChapelHill.com.