Bernita Ann Knudsen, 83, of Toledo and formerly of Canyon Country, CA, passed away Sunday, February 12, 2017 after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease at Premier Estates of Toledo. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Christ United Methodist Church in Toledo with Pastor Brian Oliver officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2017 from 10 AM until the time of service at the church. Interment will be held at 2:30 PM, Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at the Fredsville Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Dike.

Bernita was born on August 6, 1933, in Tama, Iowa, the daughter of Delbert L. and Edna C. (Ehlers) Coleman.
Bernita grew up in rural Chelsea, Iowa and graduated from Chelsea High School in 1950. In 1984, she received her AA from Los Angeles County Community College.
Bernita married John Thomsen and later they divorced. On August 26, 2000, she married Donald A. Knudsen. He passed away on October 31, 2003. She was a former director of food services for Sulfur Springs School District in Canyon Country, CA. After she moved back to Iowa, she ran the Hummingbird Haven Bed & Breakfast in Tama. Bernita was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Toledo where she was active in the UMW. She was also a member of P.E.O. Chapter EW in Tama and the California School Food Services Association. Bernita enjoyed crafts, quilting and cooking.
Survivors include her three children, Sandra (Steve) Birrell of Bozeman, MT, Micheal (Pam) Thomsen of Canyon Country, CA, and Michelle (Bert) Evans of Tama; four step-children, Judith Knudsen of DePere, WI, David Knudsen of Oskaloosa, Larry (Deanne) Knudsen of Atlantic, and Janice (Steve) Michaud of Urbandale; seven grandchildren, Kristyn and Ken Birrell, Josh (Karla) Thomsen, Matt, Brad, Abby, and Tim Evans; five great-grandchildren, Taylor, Kira, Chandler, and Alana Thomsen, and Rebecca Cole; five step-grandchildren, Tyler and Alyssa Knudsen, Nick, Andrew(Meredith) and Sarah Michaud; four sisters, Mary DePauw of Brooklyn, Florence (Paul) June of Cedar Rapids, Frances Williams of Cedar Rapids, and Marilyn (Jim) Johnson of Chelsea; two brothers, Raymond (Betty) Coleman of Toledo, Gary (Jani Wren) Coleman of Indianola; one brother-in-law, Fritz (Mila) Bearden of Toledo; two sisters-in-law, Bonnie Coleman of Belle Plaine, and Shirley Swenson of Gladbrook.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Donald; four brothers; and three sisters.
A memorial fund has been established.