Dalora Harriet Knutson

Dalora Harriet Knutson of Bella Vista, Ark., died Dec. 16, 2014. She was born on Aug. 25, 1919, in Michigan City, Ind., to Herbert Mead Nichols and Eliza Schultz Nichols. She moved to Bella Vista in 1984 from Chinook, Mont. Prior to joining the Bella Vista Lutheran Church in 2001, she had been a member of ELCA churches where her husband had served as pastor. Dalora had been involved for 68 years in mission work, extending back to 1947 where she gathered clothing for destitute families in Post-war Germany. Dalora also hosted tours to the Holy Land, Jordan, Egypt and Kenya. While leading a photo safari to Kenya in 1984, she experienced firsthand the need for school supplies for children of the Third World Nations. While at a market, a young Kenyan asked her if she had a pencil that he needed for school. She regretfully had to say no but the experience ignited a passion to help by providing 1,000s of school kits to these underprivileged children. She also loved to sew, and shared this enjoyment by making cloths for needy children and infants. She was preceded in transformation by her parents; husband, Evans Laverne Knutson in 1997; brother, Milton Nichols; and sisters, Ester Nichols, Clara Roeder, Ruth DeLong and Annetta Ullman. She is survived by two sons, Paul Knutson and wife, Ellen, of Little Flock, Ark., Mark Knutson of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two daughters, Ruth Ann Blackburn of Duluth, Minn., Sara Beth Knutson of St. Paul, Minn.; and three grandchildren. In addition to raising four adopted children, Dalora and Evans also nurtured five foster children. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 22, 2014, at the Bella Vista Funeral Home Chapel, Bella Vista, Ark. The Rev. Robert Miskimen will officiate. Inurnment will be at the Fayetteville National Cemetery, Fayetteville, Ark. Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lutheran World Relief, 1333 South Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122-7295. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.