EVELYN JOSEPHINE KNUDSON, age 97, died Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at her residence. Evelyn was born on June 13, 1920 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, daughter of the late Edward and Anna (Rykal) Burish. She graduated from Cadott High School and in 1944 she earned her teaching certificate from Eau Claire State Teachers College in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In 1966, Evelyn earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University. For 30 years she worked as an Elementary Education Teacher in the Kearsley School District in Flint, Michigan. She was a member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Flint for over 40 years, and was a founding member of St. Mary of the Hills Catholic Church for 29 years. Evelyn had a passion for children, teaching, arts & crafts, playing cards and Bingo. On August 26, 1944 Evelyn married William “Bill” Knudson, with whom she enjoyed 61 years of marriage before Bill passed away in 2005. She is survived by 3 children: Kathy (Gary) Grice, Nancy (Steven) York, and Elizabeth (Peter) Raab; 7 grandchildren: Timothy York, who preceded her in death in 2017, Anthony York, Stephanie Leary, Melissa Grice, Natalie Grice, Kristen Parker and Kimberly Colburn; 8 great grandchildren: Alyssa York, Drake & Ethan Leary, Samantha & Ashlynn York, Kat Grice, Allison Parker, and Cameron Colburn. In addition to her parents, husband and grandson, Evelyn was preceded in death by 3 brothers: Lloyd, Robert & Ben Burish. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Monday, April 30, 2018 at St. Mary of the Hills Catholic Church, 2675 John R. Road, Rochester Hills. Fr. Stanley Ulman, officiating. Entombment to follow at Christian Memorial Cemetery. Evelyn will lie in state at the church Monday, from 10 a.m. until service time. The family will also receive friends Sunday, April 29, 2018 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Pixley Funeral Home, 322 W. University Drive, Rochester. A rosary service will be held Sunday at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary of the Hills Catholic Church.
