Pauline C. "Polly" Knudtsen, 86

November 12, 1927 - May 8, 2014

Polly Knudtsen was born November 12, 1927, to Annie May and Boyd Bridges in Pocatello, Idaho. At the age of six, Polly's parents divorced and her mother married Spencer Lawson who adopted Polly and her two sisters, Josephine "Joy" and Patricia. Polly lived in Spencer, Idaho, until moving to Idaho Falls to attend high school, graduating in 1946.

As a freshman in college, Polly attended the University of Southern California, and played the flute in the USC Marching Band. She then attended the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, where she met C. Wayne Knudtsen, graduating in 1950.

Polly moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and taught freshman English at Coeur d’Alene High School. She married Wayne Knudtsen in 1951, and they divorced in 1998. Polly earned a degree in business administration from Lewis-Clark State College in 1996, and sold real estate until 1998.

Polly was active in the Coeur d’Alene area as a member of the Lieutenant George Farragut Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and with Kootenai County Republican Women. She also served on the board of the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theater and Opera Plus (now Opera Coeur d’Alene). Polly was also a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist.

In 2007, Polly suffered a stroke and went to live at Pacifica Senior Living until her death.

Polly was preceded in death by her sisters, Joy and Patricia. She is survived by her daughter, Eve Knudtsen; son, Eric Knudtsen; and three granddaughters: Brianna and Cailyn Knudtsen, and Lauren Benedict.

A memorial service for Polly will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 10, at Lake City Community Church, 6000 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Donations in her memory may be made to Hospice of North Idaho and the Christian Science Society, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.