Neil L. Knutson

The funeral service for Neil L. Knutson, 83, of Brownsdale,MN will be at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday (October 23, 2018) at Zion Lutheran Church(in the Woods) in rural Dexter,MN with Rev. Ben Simons officiating. Burial with military graveside honors will take place at the church cemetery. Mr. Knutson died on Wednesday (October 17, 2018) following complications of cancer, on the farm he loved, in his daughter's home, in rural Spring Valley,MN. 
Neil Luverne Knutson was born on April 3, 1935 at his parent's home in Sargeant, MN to Theodore and Marvel(Stayner) Knutson. He grew up in Sargeant where he attended school, before going to Hayfield H.S. graduating in 1953. He enlisted into the U.S. Army serving overseas in Germany, where he achieved the rank of Corporal and was chosen after try-outs to play for the Army football team while stationed there. Following his discharge in 1955, he reurned to Sargeant. Neil was married on December 28, 1955 by Rev. Stensland at Zion Lutheran Church in Dexter to Judith Ann Meyer. Following their marriage the couple lived in Rochester,MN and Spring Valley,MN where they began farming and Neil began his life long career as a commercial painter. The Knutson family moved to Lancaster,CA where they lived for 9 years before returning to rural Spring Valley. They farmed part-time and Neil was employed as a union painter by many of the commercial painting companies in Rochester and often on Mayo Clinic projects. He and his son Bradley operated Knutson Painting together for a few years. Judy was a homemaker and following Neil's retirement they moved to Brownsdale,MN in 1988 where they have continued to make their home.  Neil was a past member of Zion Lutheran Church in Dexter as a boy and was confirmed there by Rev. Stensland.  He attended First Baptist Church in Brownsdale for many years. He considered himself to be half farmer and enjoyed taking care of the animals on the farm and was very interested in land stewardship and attended classes to learn more. He was an avid reader, who enjoyed history and loved reading his Bible and sharing his love for the Lord. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, gardening and was a big Vikings fan. He enjoyed visiting with friends and loved time spent with his family.
Neil is survived by his wife - Judy and 1 son and 3 daughters –  Kim Knutson(Steve) Vandonselarr of rural Spring Valley,MN; Ryan Knutson of Spring Valley,MN; Ann(Eric) Anderson of Bagley,MN and Barbara Meyer of Rochester,MN; 11 grandchildren - Teresa Mason, Vanessa Mason, Christopher Knutson(Megan Dahl), Katie(Brian) Bernard, Nick(Kayla) Knutson, Andre Hernandez, Braden Knutson(Gretchen Backus), Joshua Anderson, Jeremiah Anderson, Cody Knutson and Kendra Anderson(Caleb Waggoner); step grandchildren - Alexa(Nathan)Engstrom and Kurt Vandonselaar; many great grandchildren and  great-great grandchildren ; 3 sisters - Arletta Bungum of Sargeant,MN; Judy Bungum of Austin,MN and Ruth(George) Emro of Owatnna,MN and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his son - Bradley, his parents,2 sisters -  Alice Peterson, Sharon Falconer, brothers –  Knute Knutson, Donald Knutson, Theodore "Ted" Knutson Jr. , Gerald Knutson, 2 baby sisters and 1 baby brother. 
A time of visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11:00 A.M. at the church on Tuesday morning. Zion Lutheran Church / 66632 300th St. / Dexter,MN 55926 Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville. www.griffin-gray.com.
 

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