Chanel Loretta Kotewa was born Jan. 31, 1940, in Fairmont, Minn., 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, Minn. 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, Calif., 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 lifelong 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.

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, Texas, step-grandsons, Trenton and Dustin Parker; her three brothers, David Kotewa and wife Patricia (Cade) of Summerfield, Fla., Larry Kotewa and wife, Julia (Jorgensen) of Peoria, Ill., Mark Kotewa and wife, DeDe (Reiland) of Fairmont, Minn.; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including her close friend, Nancy.

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