Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Roma Janice Johnson Knudsen, age 85, passed away on Jan. 28, 2024. Roma was born on Jan. 18, 1939, in Blackfoot, Idaho, to Andrew Howard and Rosetta Helen Moore Johnson.
She grew up in Blackfoot, Idaho, and had a wonderful childhood. From a young age, she fell in love with music, art and literature. Playing the piano, singing, and painting brought her so much joy. She worked on these talents throughout her life, which instilled that same love in her children and grandchildren.
Roma attended and received her teaching certificate from Utah State University. Utah State was also where she met and fell in love with Robert Knudsen. She taught elementary school while waiting for Robert to return from his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They married soon after his return in the Logan, Utah Temple on Sept. 28, 1961.
In 1963, Robert’s employment at Fresno State University took them to California, where they raised their six children in Clovis, California. Roma served faithfully in many church callings, including being an ordinance worker in the Fresno, California, Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Roma loved nature and enjoyed opportunities to get away and enjoy the vast beauty of California. Visiting Yosemite National Park, Carmel and Cambria were among her favorites. At home, she could often be found in her garden growing vegetables and tending to her many fruit trees. She loved to bake and made the yummiest breads. Robert and Roma later moved to St. George (2004), where they supported their family, made lifelong friends, and enjoyed retirement in SunRiver.
Roma devoted her life to her children and family. Her influence and impact have been felt far and wide and will continue through her descendants. We love you, Mom! May your sweet smile and warm embrace be on us until we meet again.
She is survived by her children Todd (Tanya) Knudsen, Linda (Ray) Sahagun, Mark (Andrea) Knudsen, Lori (Cory) Pope, Chad (Barbara) Knudsen, 25 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and her brother Robert (Janet) Johnson. She is preceded in death by her husband Robert Glen Knudsen; her oldest daughter and son-in-law Kathy Ann and Jordan Jay Allgood; her parents Andrew and Rosetta Johnson; and her sisters, Raeola (Bert Ray) Sorenson, Juanita (Veryl) Olsen and Donna Baugh.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, Feb. 5, at 11 a.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4461 S. Country Club Drive, St. George, Utah. A viewing will be held on Sunday, Feb. 4, from 6-8 p.m., at the Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, and on Monday, Feb. 5, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4461 S. Country Club Drive, St. George. Interment Tonaquint Cemetery, St. George.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St. George, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to click here to sign Roma’s online guest book.