Joan Marie Knutson

Joan Marie Knutson (nee Coughlin), passed away on Tuesday December 17th at the age of 92, surrounded by her children. Preceded in death by her husband Robert (Bob) Knutson, parents James and Thelma Coughlin of Hammond, and sister Colleen Powley, of Munster. Born in Hammond, IN, Joan spent 65 years in Munster, IN, where she and Bob raised their 7 children.

Joan is survived by her 7 children: Kathy Ryan (Bob), Beth Wood (Dennis), Scott, Eric (Kate), Colleen (Lisa), Pat (Karin), and Mike (Michelle), 15 grandkids, and 7 great grandchildren with 2 more on the way. Joan loved her sisters and is survived by her twin sister, Jean (Morfas), and her younger sister Mary (Wojtowich), both of Munster.

Beloved by all who knew her. Joan was married to her high school sweetheart, Bob, for 70 years. After graduating from Hammond High, she went to nursing school in Evanston, where she met lifelong friends and after their wedding, they had a small stint in Charleston, SC where Bob was stationed in the Air Force. Joan and Bob then moved back “home” where Joan was a nurse for nearly 40 years at St Margaret's Hospital in Hammond. Joan spent a lifetime caring for others.

Joan loved having the family together and hosted many large family gatherings; Christmas, countless birthday parties, and since she loved to bake, she hosted wonderful Valentine's Day dessert parties. She welcomed new neighbors with a batch of her signature brownies or toll house chocolate chip cookies. At Christmas she would make batches of those plus spritz and Swedish meatballs, then, right after Christmas she would head up to Marshall Fields and take advantage of the deep discounts on Christmas ornaments, which she would give to each child

and grandchild the next Christmas. There are hundreds of those beautiful ornaments decorating trees in various parts of the country today.

Joan was loved by many. Often referred to as a sweet lady, she was always smiling, and despite working full time, she attended the kids school and sporting events. She always lived by one of her mantras “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything!”

Joan will be remembered fondly and had a long life that touched and influenced many others. We will all have many great memories to last our lifetimes. Her family would like to thank everyone for their love and support, and remind you to live your best life because as Joan would say, even up to to her final days, “before you know, you’re old!”