Jolaine Avis Burmeister

JOLAINE AVIS BURMEISTER passed away peacefully surrounded by family at her home on Sunday, August 30, 2020.

Jolaine was born September 27, 1955, in Lakefield, MN, to Merlin and Marion (Kraft) Burmeister. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church in rural Lakefield. Jolaine grew up on the family farm along with her three sisters and two brothers who were playmates to one another. On the farm she helped raise chickens, ducks, geese and dig potatoes, to be sold to other families in the county. Carrying milk to the milk room and chasing pigs from one barn to the other was a common practice on the farm. She graduated from Lakefield High School in 1973. While attending LHS she became the first Lakefield female to join the national organization of FFA. Jolaine was united in marriage to David Knutson on April 6, 1975.

Jolaine attended the University of Minnesota-Waseca, where she earned an Associate in Applied Science degree in Animal Health Technology. She then worked many years for the Cottonwood Veterinary Clinic in Windom MN. In later years Jolaine attended Southwest Technical College in Jackson, MN, where she earned an Administrative Assistant degree. While attending college there she belonged to the OEA club where she competed in contests at the State and National level. She went on to win at the National Level. She was co-owner/operator of Knutson Sales and Service in Lakefield for many years. Jolaine enjoyed teaching Sunday School, arranging classes for the Lakefield Community Education program, while serving as the director, and she was a 4-H adult leader while her children were members. Later, Jolaine worked at Reliastar Insurance Company in Jackson, MN.

In 1996 Jolaine and her sons moved to Waseca, MN, where she worked at Federated Insurance in Owatonna, MN, for 22 years, until her retirement in 2018. In 2001 she married Gregory Pittman. Jolaine loved spending time with her children, their spouses and especially her grandchildren. There were many times that all of her 15 grandkids could make it home for Christmas, which made for a very noisy, active, but fun time. At those times Jolaine enjoyed getting matching pajamas for the kids and taking group pictures. Jolaine’s other love was making crafts and selling what she made at numerous area craft shows.

Jolaine touched many people as she went through life, due to her kind and sharing heart. She was always giving to others, whether it be plants, crafts, and most of all her strong spirit, as she went through her battle with cancer. She always had an uplifting word to say and positive attitude, despite her many setbacks.

Jolaine is survived by her husband, Greg of Waseca: her 2 brothers and 3 sisters, Larry Burmeister of Lakefield, Audrey (Ron) Burmeister-Hicks of New Hope, Mary Burmeister of Askov, Carol (Mike) Ulschmid of Waseca, and Rae (Jodie) Burmeister of Blackduck: her favorite children, Erin (Ben) LeMere of Crownsville, MD, Nels (Tina) Knutson of Owatonna and Jed (Cindy) Knutson of Bingham Lake: her fifteen favorite grandchildren, Ridley, Levi, Wyatt, Carter, Eli, Neva, Oli, Tucker, Kindle, Amos, Marshal, Matilda, Ryan, Jackson, and Katelyn.

Due to COVID, Jolaine requested, for the safety of her family, to hold a private family service.

Condolences and/or memorials payable to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation may be sent to: Nels Knutson, 10 Fairway Place, Owatonna, MN 55060. Other condolences and/or memorials may be sent to: Greg Pittman, 13390 420th Avenue, Waseca, MN 56093 and will be directed to the Mayo Clinic, Blooming Prairie Cancer Fund and other charities.