It is with sadness that we share the loss of our friend Thor, who passed away in May of 2016. Thor first participated in the Scholars program in 2014, and has been a part of the DO‑IT family ever since.
Thor graduated from Burlington-Edison High School where he served as activities director of the Student Body Leadership, a member of Key Club, a mentor to freshman students, and part of Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA). He had plans to attend Skagit Valley College in the fall with a goal of attending Western Washington University in two years. His education was very important to him. He was planning to pursue a career in law.
When not in school, Thor was active in Young Life, 4-H, and WyldLife. Thor was also an avid sports fan, and was known for his vast sports knowledge. He was the person to go to if you wanted to know NFL stats. Growing up as a fifth-generation farmer, Thor also enjoyed the outdoors, including camping, fishing, and hunting.
Thor will always be remembered for his bright, shining smile, and a personality that would fill the room. We will all cherish every memory we have of Thor.
If you would like to honor Thor by making a donation, please donate to the Burlington-Edison Alumni Foundation (B-EAF), PO Box 350, Burlington, Washington 98233. Please include “Thor Knutzen” on the note line of your donation.
It is with great sadness that we share the loss of 2007 Scholar, Elizabeth. She passed away on February 9, 2016. Liz was often quiet but had a great sense of humor and an amazing smile. She was a very caring person whose goal when she entered DO-IT was to work with others to help them relieve their stress.
Liz graduated from high school in 2009. She worked as a dental sterilization technician while attending community college. Liz earned her associate of arts degree in December 2015. She held various career goals over the years, but the common theme was her desire to make others happy.
DO-IT staff, participants, and mentors will remember Liz for her love of singing. She was also a huge animal lover. Horseback riding was a favorite childhood activity, but her love of animals extended beyond horses. Her friends and family knew she wanted to live surrounded by a variety of animals and teased her about creating her own farm. One aspect that made Liz’s memorial service notable was the overflowing donation pile of animal food that filled the building entrance. This was a real tribute to Liz and her dedication to and love of animals.