The funeral service for Mary &uot;Essie&uot; E. Knutson will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Emmons Lutheran Church, Emmons. The Rev. Julie Fiske will officiate. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church.

Essie died on Friday, Sept. 20, 2002, in Livonia, Mich. She was 81 years old.

Essie was born in Pingree, N.D., on June 11, 1921, the daughter of Carl G. and Sadie R. (Emerson) Emmons. She was confirmed at Emmons Lutheran Church. She was a 1939 graduate of Emmons High School and attended Duluth State Teachers College from 1939-1941. She taught District #43 county school near Mansfield for one year and grade school at Kiester for 1-1/2 years. Essie enjoyed cooking, entertaining and sporting events.

On Dec. 26, 1943, Essie was married to Aaron M. Gavle. He preceded her in death. On April 4, 1981, she was married to Edward Gielarzyn. He preceded her in death. On June 14, 1986, she was married to Cleon Knutson. He preceded her in death.

Essie is survived by two sons: Thomas E. Gavle of Dearborn, Mich., and Brad E. Gavle of Livonia, Mich.; two grandchildren: Erin A. and Martin A. Gavle; one sister, Phyllis Wheeler and her husband William of Lebanon, Ore.; one sister-in-law, Viola Gavle of Emmons; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three husbands; one brother, G. Harvey Emmons; one sister, Marjorie Emmons.