Mary Jo Knutson

Mary Jo Knutson, 51, of Rockford passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, surrounded by her family, after a long illness. Born May 2, 1965, in Rockford, the daughter of Harold J. and Esther (Wilgenbusch) Knutson. She attended St. Patrick’s Grade School and graduated from Boylan High School, Class of 1983. Mary Jo worked at Bergner’s Illinois Room, Rockford Board of Education and Rockford Memorial Hospital, retiring in June 2008 due to health reasons. The family would like to give a special thank you to Olivia Cruz for being Mary’s caretaker, the staff at OSF St. Anthony Emergency Room, Allison at Rosewood and Mercy Health ICU staff.
Survived by her mother, Esther Knutson; siblings, Diane (Wally) Wilson of Winnebago, Steven (Brenda Eccles) Knutson of Loves Park, Margaret Golden of Rockford and Dennis (Marilyn) Erickson of Wisconsin Rapids; brother-in-law, Darryl Jones of Winnebago; niece and nephews, Whitney and Joseph Wilson, Jacob and Joshua Jones, Michael and Donovan Golden. Predeceased by her father, Harold, sister, Kay Jones, niece, Megan Jones, nephew, David Golden, brother-in-law, Douglas Golden, paternal and maternal grandparents.
Funeral mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church. Visitation from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. at the church on Saturday. Private family burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, assisted the family. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.