Florence Knusel was born in Portland, Oregon on June 12, 1921 to Anna Stutzer and Martin Kaufman. She lived all her life in Scappoose, Oregon. She attended Scappoose Public School , and later attended St. Frederick's Catholic Grade School in St. Helens until 1935. A memory from that time is that she was the only family member that was brave and daring enough to accompany her father Martin on a plane ride from the Scappoose Airport. She then attended Scappoose Union High School from where she graduated in 1939. Tragedy struck the family in April of 1933, when her father Martin was killed in a traffic collision. On April 6, 1940 Florence married Xaver Knusel, and soon after they built a house on Honeyman Rd that both would live in for the rest of their lives. It was in this house that they raised their two children, Frank and JoAn. Xaver along with his brother Joseph (Seppi) helped the Kaufman's operate the dairy farm that Florence grew up on. Florence was a gifted musician. She played the accordion and piano in the Knusel Family Swiss orchestra and many other Swiss music groups When her children were young, Florence served as a 4-H club leader, giving many girls and boys the opportunity to learn how to sew, cook and knit and to present their handiwork at county and state fairs. She worked as the “office manager” and meat wrapper for the Brawand slaughter house for many years, serving the customers with her friendly smile and helpful advice. For over 30 years, Florence worked as a tax preparer, starting her own business at the age of 85. Over the years, Florence was involved in many church activities at St. Wenceslaus Catholic church as well as several Swiss organizations. Florence never missed church on Suinday and in recent times, enjoyed meeting the people at her church, St. Irene Byzantine Catholic Church where her son Frank is the Pastor. A source of great joy for Florence was her six grandchildren. Each summer as they were growing up, she would invite several of them to spend a week with “gramma and grandpa”, spoiling them with shopping trips and excursions to the beach. She had an outfit for every occasion, appearing to be much younger in appearance and actions and she loved to throw parties. Her greatest joy in life truly was to make people happy, whether it was teaching children, giving gifts to her family, entertaining friends, or being of service to clients. Florence departed this vale to tears on June 28, 2009 at the Good Samaritan Hospital after a long struggle with congestive heart failure. Florence is survived by her son, Fr. Frank Knusel, daughter JoAn Choi, grandchildren Theresa Ramirez, Elizabeth Rudd, Christina, Teddy, Christopher and Matthew Choi and great grandson Donovan Javier Ramirez. She was preceded in death by her father Martin, 1933, brother Leo 1961 mother Anna 1968, older brother Louie( Alois) 1986, and husband Xaver Knusel in 1994 .
A Vigil will be held
on Monday July 6th at 7:30pm and the funeral will be
Tuesday July 7th at 11:00am with reception to follow at St.Irene's Byzantine Catholic Church,
4630 N. Maryland Ave Portland, Oregon 97217 (
http://www.saintirene.org/location.htm) . The burial will be at
4pm on July 7th at St.Wenceslaus Catholic Church,
51555 Sw Old Portland Rd Scappoose, OR 97056.
We would like any remembrances to be sent to:
St.Irene's Byzantine Catholic Church
or
Good Samaritan Foundation
P.O. Box 4484
Portland, Oregon
