Keith Knudson, 89, of Hiawatha died Sunday morning March 22, 2015 at The Pines South Nursing Home in Hiawatha, Kansas.

Keith Knudson was born May 29, 1925 near Willis, Kansas to Carl and Clara Mortensen Knudson. He graduated from Horton High School in the class of 1943. He attended Kansas State University for a short time and was called home to manage the family farm near Willis due to the health of his father. He graduated from The Gradwohl School of Laboratory and X-Ray Science in St. Louis, Missouri. He worked at the Scott City Hospital and later at the Hiawatha Community Hospital for 34 years as the Medical Technologist and X-Ray Technologist.

Keith and his wife, Ruby, were married in 1949. He is survived by Ruby; their children, Mary Kay Shoemaker (Steven J.) of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and Mitchell K. Knudson of Mililani, Hawaii; his twin brother, Kenneth Knudson (Veda), sister-in-law, Alma Knudson of Horton, Kansas; three grandchildren Sarah (Nathan) Carlson, James (Kristen) Knudson, and Valentina Knudson; and 2 great grandchildren, Jacob Knudson and Hunter Knudson. Keith was predeceased by parents, Carl and Clara Knudson, sister, Elmira Jamvold, brother, Carl Knudson, Jr. and grandson, Brian Shoemaker.

Keith was President of the International Society of Clinical Laboratory Technology and was a founding member of ISCLT. He was elected to the Chapter Board of Directors, was Chairman of the Accrediting Commission of this society and remained Chairman until April 1995. He chaired the Council of Professional Organizations of the American Society of Allied Health Professions and served on the first Executive Council of the National Commission of Health Certifying Agency. In 1996, Keith was honored with the presentation of the David Birenbaum Memorial Award and was the recipient of the Laboratory World Achievement Award. He served as a legislator to the Silver Haired Legislature and was elected as Speaker. He enjoyed collecting antiques and marketing them as well as doing estate sales for a number of years.
 
A Celebration of Keith’s life is planned for 11 a.m. Friday, March 27, at the First United Methodist Church at Hiawatha, with Reverend Randy Quinn officiating. Inurnment will be at the Hiawatha Cemetery.

The family will meet with friends from 6 until 7:30 Thursday evening at the Church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to First Methodist Church Memorial Fund or Hiawatha Community Hospital Foundation which may be sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S 7th St., 66434.

A special message may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com