Barbara Jane Knutson, age 62, of Manitowoc, peacefully entered her heavenly home on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, surrounded by her family at the family residence.

Barbara was born October 22, 1953 in Manitowoc, the daughter of the late Arthur and Emily (Seibel) Kawalle. She was baptized at First German Ev. Lutheran Church and has remained a lifelong member. Barbara was a 1972 graduate of Manitowoc Lutheran High School and continued her education at Milwaukee Area Technical College, graduating with a dental hygienist degree in 1976. She spent the next 39 years as a dental hygienist at Park Dental in Manitowoc, and touched the lives of many of her patients who loved her. On November 21, 1992 she married Warren Knutson at First German Ev. Lutheran Church in Manitowoc. They were blessed with a daughter, Katelyn, and son, Samuel. The joys of her life were her husband, children, and her pet cats.

She is survived by her husband of 23 years: Warren; one daughter, Katelyn, and one son, Samuel, both of Manitowoc; two sisters: Linda (Jim) Tisler and Marilyn (Gene) Weyer, both of Manitowoc; three brothers-in-law: Juel (Marie) Knutson, Jerry (Gail) Knutson, and Earl (Donna) Knutson; one sister-in-law: Randi; special aunt: Gladys Seibel; and special nephew: Daniel Nelson. Barbara is further survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents: Arthur and Emily Kawalle; sister: Diane Nelson; and other relatives.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at First German Ev. Lutheran Church, 1033 South 8th Street, Manitowoc. Officiating will be Rev. Benjamin Schaefer and Rev. Christopher Hoppe with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Manitowoc. Relatives and friends may call at First German Ev. Lutheran Church on Monday, March 28, 2016 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and also on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m.

The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Lynn Baatz, Dr. Rebecca Johnson, Holy Family Cancer Care Center, and Holy Family Hospice. Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

Psalm 139:13-16 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.