MONONA - Ruth Marlynn Knutson died peacefully at Heritage Senior Center in Monona on June 18, 2026. She was born to Rev. and Mrs. Gerhard (Dorothy) Fischer in Savannah, Ill., on May 11, 1932.

Ruth was the eldest of three girls and often sang and played organ at weddings and funerals in her father’s Lutheran Church. She graduated in 1950 from Jefferson High School and obtained her B.S. in Vocal Music Education at the Wisconsin State College in Milwaukee in 1954.

In 1955, Ruth married the love of her life and forever partner, James Knutson, at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Helenville, Wis., with her father officiating. They taught and made music together for 65 years and lived mainly in Monona and Cottage Grove, Wis.

Ruth taught grade school music, first in Shawano, Wis., and then for many years in Madison Public Schools including Lake View, Sherman, Frank Allis and John Muir. She retired in 1990.

Ruth was a loving mother of Deborah, Stephen and Elizabeth. She made sure they went to church, did well in school and played piano and an instrument. She had multiple hobbies including sewing, knitting, weaving on her looms, Hardanger, and Lefsa making. She belonged to many groups including book clubs, AAUW, Rhoda Circle, Friendship Force, St. Stephens Food Pantry, to name a few. She was active at Holy Cross, Lake Edge and St. Stephens Lutheran Churches over the years. She loved to throw a party for her friends.

Together Ruth and Jim took their family on camping vacations around the Continental U.S. each summer. They continued traveling with their six grandchildren in intergenerational elder hostels. Ruth enjoyed traveling with Jim to Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Norway, Finland, Mongolia, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Russia, East Germany and the Caribbean. They also hosted many visitors through Friendship Force. She enjoyed the Madison Symphony Orchestra and Opera with Jim.

Ruth is survived by her children, Deborah Boushea (Karl Cinlar), Stephen Knutson (Mary) and Elizabeth Sorge (Ken); and sister, Dody (Tom). She was also devoted to her six grandchildren, Claire (Kenn), Sam (Molly), Danielle, Carl, Gabe and Angela (Laurence); and eight great-grandchildren, Noah, Jude, Zion, Sage, Darcy, Lochlann, Cori and Silas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gerhard and Dorothy; husband, James Knutson (2020); sister, Joan; and brother-in-law, Ken.

A funeral service will be held at ST. STEPHEN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5700 Pheasant Hill Road, Monona, at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. A visitation will be held at the church from 12 noon until the time of the service on Tuesday.

Memorials may be given to St. Stephen’s or St. Stephen’s Food Pantry.

Ruth was a beloved resident of Heritage Memory Center. Many thanks to Crystal and the crew at Heartland Hospice for the loving care they provided Ruth in her final months.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Ruth Marlynn Knutson

May 11, 1932 - June 18, 2026

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