Chanel Loretta Kotewa was born in Fairmont, MN on Jan. 31, 1940, to Ignatius and Agnes Kotewa. She grew up on the Kotewa family farm and attended District 36 County School.
After graduating from East Chain High School as Salutatorian, she joined the Convent of the Sisters of St. Francis of Rochester, MN, and became a registered nurse. Chanel spent 22 years as a nun, including establishing a clinic in the coal country of Harlem, Kentucky. After leaving the convent, she continued her nursing career in various clinics in southern Minnesota and earned her master's degree in Family Health from the University of Missouri.
Chanel met the love of her life, Arthur, at a dance. They were married on May 24, 1986, and moved to San Diego, California, where they spent 37 loving years together. Chanel completed her career working at Scripps Research Institute, breaking ground on bisphosphonates for osteoporosis. Multiple Sclerosis hampered Chanel’s life but did not stop her from professional accomplishments, devotion to God and family, and an enjoyment of life.
Chanel and Art’s marriage was iconic. They wrote love letters to each other every day, supported one another, and fostered their relationship through frequent Marriage Encounter weekends, where they met many of their life-long friends. They shared a love of golf, dancing, watching sports, travel, and family. Chanel loved social and family gatherings. Her personality—and outfits—always brought joy and conviviality to the event.
Channel passed away peacefully on April 13, 2024, age 84, in San Diego, California. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ignatius and Agnes (Studer) Kotewa, her loving husband, Arthur Magnuson, and her sister, Joyce (Kotewa) Wehner. She is survived by her stepdaughter, Lynnea Parker and husband Joel Rodriguez of Bryan, TX, step-grandsons Trenton and Dustin Parker, and her three brothers: David Kotewa and wife Patricia (Cade) of Summerfield, FL, Larry Kotewa and wife Julia (Jorgensen) of Peoria, IL, Mark Kotewa and wife DeDe (Reiland) of Fairmont, MN, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, including her close friend, Nancy.
A Funeral mass will be held on Friday, May 3 at 12:30pm, at St. Therese of Carmel Catholic Church, 4355 Del Mar Trails Rd, San Diego, CA 92130, with a reception at the same location from 1:30–3:30, followed by internment. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National MS Society.
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