Mary Hope Knudson, 90, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, in Rapid City. Her son Ken Knudson was with her at the time of her death. Mary was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1923. She was raised in Paris, Tenn., and in Melvindale and Detroit, Mich. After attending high school in Paris for several years, Mary completed high school in Melvindale. Among other employment after high school, she worked as a welder during WW II. Shortly after WWII and while working at a soda fountain in Detroit, she met Knute Knudson who was working in Detroit. Knute was returning to Rapid City and Mary eventually followed him there, arriving by train in 1947. She commented many times how surprised she was at the size of Rapid City in the '40s after having lived in one of the largest cities in the country at the time. She and Knute were married in Rapid City on Aug. 2, 1947. Oscar and Vivian Hermanson from Rapid City were witnesses for their wedding. They eventually built a house in the Gap next to houses owned by Knute's parents. They moved to Robbinsdale in the early 1950s and to Anaheim California in the late '50s. They returned to Rapid City in 1960. Knute died in 1975. Mary started work at Lehr Drug Store in downtown Rapid City in the '40s. She retired from West Side Safeway and lived in west Rapid City until health problems caused her to live in the Golden Living Center Prairie Hills for the past several years. She was active in The Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary for many years. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran and Faith Lutheran Churches for parts of her life. In her retirement, she loved trips to Deadwood and won several very large jackpots. She traveled to Washington in the late '80s and saw all the sights. She was able to come and go from the White House as the guards recognized her easily. Her friend Debra Anderson had arranged for her easy access. During Mary's time at the nursing home, her sons Keith and Ken visited her every day. They regularly followed up on meals to make sure she was eating well. They also provided company and extra care on a daily basis. She is survived by her son Knute and his wife Pennie in Reno, Nev.; daughter Ginna and her husband Wayne in Lexington, N.C.;, and sons Keith and Ken in Rapid City. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Ginna's daughter Jillisa and her husband Michael Milner and Ginna's son Eric and his wife Sandra. Eric and Sandra have two children, Noah and Malia. She is also survived by her brother, Joe Galvin, who resides in Prudenville, Mich. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, with Pastor Jeff Rohr officiating. A procession will leave the funeral home at 1:45 p.m.