Roxanne Arleen Knudson

Roxanne Arleen Knudson, or Punky as she was affectionately known, 50, passed away after a short, intense battle with stomach cancer on Monday, April 20, 2026, with her family surrounding her. Cremation has taken place, and a funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church with Monsignor Daniel Wathen officiating. Punky's family has suggested memorial donations be made in her memory to the Montana Special Olympics, St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, Shriners Children's Hospitals, or a charity of the donor's choice. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Punky's online memorial page to send a card or leave a message of condolences for her family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Punky was born on September 18, 1975, in Havre to David "Crocky" and Debby (Laverdure) Whitaker. She lost her father in the early years of her life, and Les Knudson adopted her and adored her. Punky was raised in Havre where she graduated from Havre High School in 1994. She soon began working at Havre Day Activity Center, where she loved her position on the Recycling Collection Team and "retired" early due to her illness after working there for 32 years.

Punky was a vibrant, opinionated woman who adored her family, friends, and pets, especially her cat, Boo. Putting puzzles together and watching WWE were her favorite pastimes. She relished the time she spent at the family cabins and "bumming" around with her Papa Louie. Punky was blessed with a wonderful sense of humor and a no-nonsense attitude. She epitomized unconditional love ... Love for Jesus, animals, and people. To her family, Punky represented hope and acceptance and this is her legacy that will live on. She has touched so many lives more than we will ever know. Punky made this world a better place.

She was preceded in death by her biological father, David Whitaker; great-grandparents, Lillie "Tootie" and George Whitaker and Stan and Anne Knudson; grandfather, Louis Laverdure; aunts, Debra Vandenboom and Debbie Harmon; and her close friend, Brian Fanning.

Punky is survived by her parents, Les Knudson and Debby (Robert DiPiero) Knudson; siblings, Jennifer (Scott) Durward and Joshua (Twyla) Knudson; step-siblings, Camillo and Darcia DiPiero, Nicole Ermenegildo, and Samantha DiPiero; great-grandmother, Arleen Laverdure; uncles, Raymond Laverdure, Daniel Whitaker, and Dwayne (Kelley) Whitaker; aunts, Janet Knudson and Barb (Whitaker) Jones; nieces, Liana Durward and Julia Knudson; nephews, Louis Durward and Justin Knudson; numerous cousins, and her best friend, Laura Sasaki along with her Special Olympics family.