Vidette M. Knain

Vidette Marie Knain, 90, passed away peacefully at home with loved ones by her side on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024. 

Vidette was born June 1, 1933, in Northwood, ND the daughter of Thomas & LouElla (Evanson) Olson. She attended Logan Center until 8th grade. The family moved their home to Northwood and schooling continued until graduation from Northwood School in 1952.

Vidette met her true love Eugene Knain and the couple wed on September 5, 1954. They were blessed with five children. The family moved to various towns including Kloten, Lidgerwood, Hatton, EGF and finally purchased their forever home in Grand Forks in 1971. During those moves Vidette did what she was best at, sales. She sold jewelry with Sarah Coventry and Hope Chest, Fuller Brush cleaning supplies and last but not least Shaklee. She was top sales in Shaklee earning herself a 1978 Ford LTD. Let's not forget the knack she had for selling raffle tickets, didn't matter where you were, Vidette was sure to have a bundle with her. She would sell anywhere from Sunday service to weddings, or it wasn't uncommon for her to have a bundle at a funeral. But on that note, she was usually the top seller of raffle tickets as well. Other careers included being a nursing assistant at Good Samaritan, maintenance at the rehab and working potato harvest. Vidette dedicated most of her career life to UND in plant services with 13 years of service before retirement.   

If there was one thing to say about Vidette it's that her time was always given to others. She volunteered for anything she could. She was the recipient of the Presidential Award for volunteering. She was involved in Women's Aglow, Mission Bells, Sharon prayer group, Senior Citizen Center, and a member of the Sons of Norway. In 1987 her and Eugene took a trip of a lifetime to visit their roots of Norway. 

Vidette had a strong faith in Christ. He was the foundation and center of her life. Her faith was her strength, and she would always pray, she lived her faith in Jesus and shared her faith with others. Vidette was a very active member of Sharon Lutheran Church in Grand Forks. 

Vidette enjoyed bowling, bingo, playing dominos, cards; kings in the corner or whist, and would complete hundreds of pages of word searches. She loved planning and attending family reunions, attending the annual Aneta turkey BBQ with family and she was a regular at Perkins, I can't imagine how many senior punch cards she filled up, and would frequent DQ often. After retirement Vidette would volunteer for Meals on Wheels delivering meals to the homebound. Later in life she went on to be the one receiving the meals.   

Her sophisticated and beautiful fashion that was always adorned with a pin will be missed. Her love of humming a song would bring comfort and peace to a person in her presence. She had an unforgettable smile and comforting hugs that you would never want to let go. She was a true child of God and will be missed by many. 

Vidette is survived by her children: Yvette (Jerome) Schneider; Kerry (Michelle) Knain; Jolaine Knain; Michael Knain; Charmelle (Tim) Kozel. Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren: Dylan (Jessica) Schneider their children McKinley, Jacob, William, Thomas; Andrew (Callie) Schneider their children Brody, Calen, Easton, Mack, Knox; Christopher (Mari Jarmin) Schneider their child Cade; Ashley (John) Kurtz their children Emma, Sophia, Olivia; Kelsey Kozel her child Jaylynn; Corey (Chloe Wylot) Kozel; Tonya (Nathan) Lizakowski their children Zac, Peyton, Gabby. Brother, Duane Olson; Brother-in-law, Terry (Barb) Knain; Sister-in-laws, Inez Knain; Carol Knain; Connie Knain; Leah (Troy) Erickson; and many nieces and nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother Lewis James and infant sister LolaAnn. 

Visitation will be Wednesday, February 28, 2024, from 5:00pm to 7:15pm with a 7:15pm prayer service at Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks. Visitation will continue Thursday for the hour before the service in the church. Funeral Services will be 11:00am Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Sharon Lutheran Church of Grand Forks. 

Burial will be in Memorial Park South Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Senior Citizen Center in Grand Forks or Hospice of the Red River Valley. 

Below is a link to the livestream of the funeral.

https://www.youtube.com/live/gBScyITLTLw?si=d4FyVgz_gQTOsuyL