Amanda Pauline Knudsen

Amanda Pauline Fladeland Knudsen, who had lived in her West Menlo Park home since 1933, died Nov. 17 with family members at her side. She was 98.

Ms. Knudsen was a cook who worked at Allied Arts Guild, Stanford Hospital in the Hoover Pavilion, and Branner Hall until her retirement from Stanford University in 1964.

Born to parents who emigrated from Norway, Ms. Knudsen learned her skills as a young girl growing up in North Dakota. At 16 she left her parents’ home to work on her Aunt Betsy’s farm, baking as many as 16 loaves of bread a week, along with performing other chores on a working farm in the 1920s.

In 1928 she moved to San Luis Obispo to join her sister, Jessie, and worked at a local boarding house. There she met her future husband, Kay Bardram Knudsen, a civil engineer. They were married in 1930. In 1933 the couple purchased their home in Menlo Park from Mr. Knudsen’s father.

Because Mr. Knudsen’s career took him away a great deal, Ms. Knudsen raised their two daughters almost single-handedly, says her daughter, Vivian Knudsen Johsens.

Ms. Knudsen was a life member of the Las Lomitas PTA and served as its treasurer when her daughters were attending Las Lomitas School.

Ms. Knudsen enjoyed working in her garden. She “devoured the Almanac when it arrived every Tuesday,” says her daughter, Ms. Johsens.

A highlight of her life was a trip to Norway in 1984. A week before she died, she watched her great-granddaughter play soccer in Santa Cruz and five days before her death made her usual visit to Rosener House, where she went three days a week, says her daughter.

Ms. Knudsen is survived by her daughters, Vivian Johsens, with whom she lived in Menlo Park, and Emily Matocha of Wesley, Arkansas; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren. Her husband, Kay Bardram Knudsen, died in 1953.

Services were held Nov. 29 at Golden Gate Cemetery in San Bruno, where she was buried with her husband. A celebration of her life was held at the Dutch Goose in Menlo Park. Memorial services on what would have been her 99th birthday will be held Feb. 2 at the family home in Menlo Park.

The family prefers donations to Rosener House, 500 Arbor Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025; or to the Salvation Army.

Lucille Chaput

Services will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, at the Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park for Lucille Longuy Chaput, who died Nov. 19. Ms. Chaput, a seven-year resident of Menlo Park, was 94.

Ms. Chaput was born in San Jose and grew up in the French community in San Francisco. She was a 1930 graduate of Ideal Girls High School in San Francisco, where she was a basketball captain, although only 5 foot 1 inch tall. She was also a member of La Jeunesse Francaise Care & Culture Club and the Sports & Pastimes Association.

Before the Golden Gate Bridge was built, San Franciscans went by ferry to the country for weekends. While waiting for the ferry in Sausalito, Lucille struck up a conversation with other passengers and discovered they all spoke French. It was there she met her future husband, Gene Chaput.

After their marriage, the Chaputs lived in “The Park” area of San Mateo for 70 years.

Ms. Chaput is survived by her son, Gene Chaput of Portola Valley; six grandchildren; and three great-grandsons. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, and son Marc.

The family prefers memorials in her name be sent to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford.

Dale Waldon Cauble

Dale Waldon Cauble of Portola Valley died Sept. 21 at the age of 90.

He was a building contractor in the Bay Area and, among many other projects, built several homes for his family.

From his youth, he was also an outstanding horseman, say family members. He owned and trained quarter horses. He was a member of the San Mateo County Horseman’s Association, the Woodside Mounted Patrol, and the Shack Riders until almost his 85th birthday.

Mr. Cauble was born in Alva, Oklahoma. He graduated from Central Missouri University, where he was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity.

He served in the South Pacific as a first lieutenant and company commander in the 110th Ordnance Company of the U.S. Army.

In 1943 he met and married Ilse Gerda Fisher of Roseville. They had two children, Kathryn and Keith. Mr. Cauble retired from his career as a building contractor in 1977.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ilse Gerda Cauble; daughter Kathryn Thompson, and son Keith Cauble. Burial was to be conducted on Dec. 5 at Arlington National Cemetery.

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