Knudson, the first of seven children. Her childhood consisted of several moves as her family explored
life in Nevada, Colorado, and briefly in North Dakota before the family settled near Cambridge,
Minnesota where she graduated from high school. She spent her youth practically living on horseback
and dreaming of becoming a cowgirl. She enjoyed being involved with the church youth group and also
developed a love of music, playing piano, playing cornet in band and singing in the choir and Madrigals.
She also taught herself guitar and flute. After high school she attended Northwestern College and then
graduated with a BA from Bethel College in Roseville, MN.
While she didn't become a cowgirl, she realized her desire to return west in 1987 when she moved back
to Colorado. In 1989 she moved to Estes Park and was hired by the Rocky Mountain Nature Association
the following year. Heidi spent twenty-one years at RMNA in various positions and developed many
lifetime friendships while there. Best of all, she met the love of her life, Curt Buchholtz, and they were
married in August, 2001. In 2011 she left her job to start her own small business which she did part-
time until a diagnosis of advanced ovarian cancer in 2016. In 2012 she and Curt fell for the desert
landscape of Tucson, AZ, and had spent winters there ever since.
Heidi enjoyed hiking and covered many miles over the years. She was an avid traveler, reader, knitter,
quilter, gardener and puzzle solver. She was a member of Mountain View Bible Fellowship and then Mt.
Calvary Lutheran. She enjoyed singing in the choir and with the worship team and also played
handbells. Heidi was involved with Community Bible Study from 2002 where she had so many
wonderful Christian friends who, along with other friends and family, prayed for her and encouraged her
in her last difficult years.
She is survived by her husband Curt; mother Elaine; siblings Rene (Mark) Strand, Kathy (Kyle) Asp, Larry
(Karen) Knudson, Barbara (Arthur) Schwieger, Wendy (Daryl) Ritchison and Craig (Heather) Knudson;
stepsons Brett (Stephanie) Buchholtz, Jesse (Beth) Buchholtz and Austin Buchholtz. She also leaves 10
nieces and 9 nephews. She was predeceased by her father and one niece.
Donations may be made in care of Allnutt to Compassion International, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church or
the Rocky Mountain Conservancy.
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