Harold Knutson

Harold Orville Knutson was born February 15, 1914 in Sanborn County in South Dakota, the son of Andrew and Clara (Olson) Knutson. He attended country school in Sanborn County and later worked for August Loeck near Balaton, MN. Harold met Ella Krebs in Balaton at a dance. He worked for Snow's Hatchery in Sleepy Eye and entered the US Army on July 10, 1941 and served in Aleutian Islands, Southern Philippines, Ryukyus, and Eastern Mandates. Harold received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. On September 2, 1945 Harold married Ella Krebs at Christ Lutheran Church in Cobden, MN. The couple has lived on Ella's home place ever since. Harold has worked for Tox-O-Wick, Cargill Seed Company, and was district and division manager for Occo Feeds. He was a member of the VFW in Sleepy Eye and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Springfield. Harold was head usher for many years and served on the Church Council at St. Paul Lutheran Church. He enjoyed reading, lawn work, and refurnishing furniture. The last piece of furniture he refinished was the crib that is being used by his great grandson - Wyatt. Harold died on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 at the St. John Lutheran Home in Springfield at the age of 91 years. He is survived by his wife of 59 years - Ella of Sleepy Eye; children - Cheryl and Richard Schlimme of Ortonville, MN, Duane Knutson and Marie Gervais of Springfield, MN, and Connie Knutson and Linus Wenthold of Sleepy Eye; 5 grandchildren; 1 great grandson; brothers - Leonard and Jean Knutson of Billings, MT and Marvin and wife Shirley Knutson of Huron, SD; a sister - Arlis and Robert Hetland of Artesian, SD; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother - Marsten Knutson; and sisters - Iola and husband Robert, Shirley Knutson, and Burnette and husband Charles Spelbring.