Library was life for Marie Knudson, By FAYE WHITBECK, Staff Writer

A life dedicated to local library ended quietly

Falls Public Library enveloped her career and her life, her world and her universe.
And the bound literary works which Marie Knudson chose to fill that universe, took her (and many others) anywhere she wanted to go.
The librarian who served Falls Public Library from 1948 to 1978 and who strengthened the local institution died quietly on Tuesday at Falls Good Samaritan Care Center at the age of 95.
In the era of Knudson’s librarian career, it was mandatory that she retire at age 65, according to Kathy “Pooka” (Stish) Brokaw. Brokaw has worked at the library since age 18 when she was hired by Knudson. She remained her friend all these years and last saw her about two weeks ago.
“When she was forced to retire, she walked out of this library and I don’t believe she ever walked in again,” said Brokaw. “This was her life.”
Knudson could be an intimidating figure. With her “iron fist” control of the library and low, booming voice, she was a force not to be ignored. Her “sshh, sshh” was a signal to generations of children to button up and get back to the books.
But for kids who ventured past the surface, Knudson carried a strong influence that lasted a lifetime.
“She was just so interested in young people’s desires,” said Brokaw. “She seemed to sense something toward what they would become.” Several remember that many kids who got past the trepidation, came to regard her with respect.
She hired a young person every year to work at the library, according to Doug Skrief. He said Knudson’s leadership skills brought statewide attention to the Falls library, and garnered it a Dorothy Canfield Fisher award for excellence, one of only nine awarded in the entire nation in 1961.
She was a graduate of Carlton College in Northfield and the Western Reserve in Cleveland.
Knudson had a reputation for her knowledge of books and her astute decisions in selecting them for the library. She was reportedly tireless in the search for answers to requests by patrons.
A 1931 graduate of Falls High School, Knudson seemingly fit the old stereotype of the library spinster. Recollections always include her unadorned skirted suits and the familiar, untamed gray bun perched at he back of her bespectacled face. She never had a significant other and lived with her late mother and deaf brother Robert on Riverside Drive most of her life. She smoked Camel straights, said Brokaw. She loved her dogs. Her only remaining family is thought to be a few cousins.
The librarian was known for her affinity of the African violet, and gardening in general. Glass shelves which lined the walls of her home were filled with every variety and shade of the violets. Plant life also filled the library windows during her tenure, and classical music was encouraged. Politics fascinated her.
Knudson also loved to cook, and of course — read. Her favorite genre was probably masterfully constructed mysteries.
Jack Murray, former International Falls mayor, recalled what a strong advocate for the library and reading the community had in Knudson. Murray said she was always a leader in any expansion or improvements at the library as well as committed to those who needed her help.
“I might be prejudiced because I knew her my whole life, but I thought she was just a great person,” said Murray.
Waiva Menefee, who served later as librarian, originally worked at the Fergus Falls library as a student with Knudson before either worked at Falls Public Library. Menefee said that Knudson, who was born and raised in the Falls, had her first job in South St. Paul. Knudson was the daughter of Elsie (Justesen) and Marshall Knudson, early notable residents of International Falls.
“She was an excellent book collector for this area,” said Menefee. “And a good programmer. She was always an example for me. We’ll miss her. She was an International Falls product.”
Brokaw reports that Knudson also spent an after-hours career. When the library was closed for the day, she clipped every significant event, obituary and Falls history piece from the local paper. Boxes and boxes of her records are still being continually processed for the future, she said.
Although she didn’t suffer dementia, even in her 90s, Brokaw said she saw the elderly woman’s health and mood slipping lately. Her death marks the anniversary of her hiring at Falls Public Library 60 years ago.
Knudson was endearingly called “Miss K,” said Brokaw. “She was a simple but very unique woman. And her greatest love was the library.”

Grave side services will be held for Knudson on Monday at 2 p.m. at Forest Hill Cemetery, a place where she was often seen walking her dogs and, as she said, “visiting her friends.”