Irene Brinkley6 Knutson

IRENE BRINKLEY KNUTSON Irene Brinkley Knutson, a long time Highlands County Realtor, made her transition on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at Sebring, FL. Her daughter, Patsy Foster, son-in-law, Don Foster and their daughter Wendy Carrington Foster preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Harold Knutson and sons, Thor Christopher Knutson of Sebring, Brett Dean Knutson (Lori) of Omaha, Nebraska and William David McDonald (Donna) of Newport, Alabama; brother, John Brinkley, Fuquay Varina, NC; Five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She was born in Pitkin, Louisana on August 15, 1935 to Clyde and Pallie (Pollard) Brinkley. She graduated from Mission Bay High School in San Diego, CA after earning 72 credit hours and only a year after her two oldest children graduated from the same school. She attended San Diego Jr College with a major in Accounting and Business. After her husband retired from the Navy they moved to Branson, MO where she attended the School of the Ozarks. She served on the board and fund raising committee that established the first mental health clinic in Branson, Mo. The family moved to Sebring in June of 1979 and in October of the same year she joined the Board of Realtors of Highlands County. She served as treasurer for four years and on many committees and received many awards. It was with great pride that she accepted the Realtor of The Year award in l992. She was instrumental in procuring land for Unity Life Enrichment Centre Campus. She led the charge in raising the funds necessary to build the Centre. Memorial services will be held on Sunday, October 2, 2011 at 1:00 PM at the Unity Life Enrichment Centre on Orange Blossom. In Lieu of flowers contributions may be made in her memory to Good Shepherd Hospice. Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home Sebring, FL www.stephensonnelsonfh.com