Danene Lynn Knudsen

After a long illness, Danene Lynn Knudsen, passed away on June 20, 2026 and has joined her parents, family and friends in heaven.

Danene Lynn Schoessler was born June 23, 1945, to Leon and Emma Schoessler in Billings, MT. She lived on her parents’ dairy farm and raised dairy and beef cattle as projects in 4H. She began studying piano at age six and started organ lessons at age 13. She had been a church organist since she was in the 8th grade.

She attended a three-room school in rural Billings for 8 years, then was bussed into town for 9th grade at Lewis and Clark Jr. High. She participated in musicals and sang in choir. She graduated from Billings West High School in 1963. She continued her education at Rocky Mountain College majoring in piano and organ with emphasis on sacred music. Danny substituted at many churches of different denominations while at college.

In the spring of 1964, Danny became Miss Rocky Mountain College and later that summer entered the Miss Montana Pageant was named first runner up and took over as Miss Montana. At the end of her freshman year, the college choir went to the New York World Fair. She sang alto and often accompanied the choir. After performing in 12 cities on the way to the east coast, they performed at the United Nations Building, the World Fair and also on the steps of the Capitol in Washington D.C. While in New York, she saw her first Broadway show and saw Mickey Mantle hit a home run at a Yankee game.

She met Bob Knudsen at Rocky and were married in 1965 after his graduation. He took a job as Food Service Manager at George Fox College in Newberg, OR. Their first daughter, Michelle, was born there. Bob took a promotion at Whitworth College in Spokane. At both colleges, Danny was able to take piano and organ lessons and taught students privately. When Bob was assigned to YVC as Food Service Director in Yakima, they bought their first home and had their second daughter, Kristine. Danny became busy in the community, church and started her piano studio.

Danny was pianist for the Yakima Symphony Orchestra from 1969-1999 and the accompanist for the Yakima Symphony Chorus for 25 years. She played the organ with the Manhattan Symphony Orchestra in 1993 in Carnegie Hall. She was grateful to Brooke Creswell and Scott Peterson for performance opportunities of excellent repertoire for chorus and orchestra. She along with two others were founders of the American Guild of Organists chapter in the Yakima Valley. It was very successful for 50 years.

Wesley United Methodist Church became the family church where she was music director, organist, pianist, conducted two choirs, three handbell choirs and ran several musicals for 26 years. Twelve years as organist, pianist and handbell director at Westminster Presbyterian and nine years at Englewood Christian doing the same thing. She joined the Washington State Music Teachers Association chapter in 1978 and held several offices. She enjoyed organizing Pedals, Pipes and Pizza for her students as well as having many students participate in Ribbon Festival, adjudications and many recitals. She taught class piano at YVC from 1994 to 2003. She tried to see musical potential in every student and encouraged those to nourish that love. Playing the organ, teaching students and accompanying the West Valley Choirs was something she loved until the illness in June of 2023.

She and Bob loved to travel. National Conferences of Music Teachers and the American Guild of Organists took them all over the United States. A highlight was the one held in Los Angeles where Kristine and her family joined us to visit Disney Land, the Wax Museum, the Beach and many other sites! She was able to see Igor Straviszky in person as he conducted his Firebird Suite in Oregon, heard Arthur Rubenstein perform in Seattle and John Williams in Tacoma. Singing with the Symphony Chorus while they toured Europe in 1989, she was able to attend a workshop with John Rutter and sing under his direction at the Barbican Theatre in London. Bob’s association with Rotary allowed them to travel to conferences around the world.

She was proud of donating over 20 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross and encourages everyone to donate!

She is survived by her husband Bob of 61 years, daughters Michelle (Charlie) Carlson with Kenly Mitchell and Cade Carlson and Kristine (Duane) Gordon with Rachel Gordon and Hailey (Wyatt) Hull who were all very special to her. She is survived also by her sister Carol Mathew (Dick Baumann) and her brother Larry (Paulette) Schoessler and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Yakima Chapter of the Washington State Music Teachers Association and sent in care of Kristine Gordon, P.O. Box 1624, Yakima, WA 98907

Celebration of Danene’s incredible life will be Wednesday, July 8 at 11:00 AM at Wesley United Methodist Church at 14 No. 48th Ave. with a light lunch reception following.

The family would like to thank the wonderful care she has received at Ohana House who cared for mom as if she were their own, Amber and staff were amazing. Heartlink Hospice for walking us through the process and giving mom the dignity she deserved. Martha Lund, you have been a godsend to mom with your prayers and visits. Dave and Ruth Bare for being there when needed in person or by phone. To all the friends that have become family, and everyone that has supported us, thank you for your love and support! Mom would be so touched!