Herbert Knudson

Herbert Arthur Knudson, son of Berdines A. and Minnie (Thompson) Knudson was born on June 28, 1920 on the family farm in South Branch Township, Watonwan County, Minnesota. He died at the age of 93 on Sunday, March 23, 2014 at the Pleasant View Good Samaritan Home in St. James, MN. Herbert was baptized on August 15, 1920 at the First Lutheran Church in St. James, and was confirmed on June 16, 1935 at the Rosendale Lutheran Church in rural St. James. He was raised on farms in the Butterfield and St. James area and attended school at District 64. He was an active member of 4-H in Rosendale and South Branch townships. Herbert was drafted by the U.S. Army and left for basic training at Camp Roberts, CA. on October 7, 1941. He was in the A Battery, 143rd Field Artillery, 40th Division. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he was sent to the Hawaiian Islands for one year. As the war intensified, the 40th Division was sent to the Philippine Islands for combat with the Japanese. He was honorably discharged and returned home exactly 4 years later on October 7, 1945. On August 28, 1948, Herbert was united in marriage to Dorothy Jorgenson at the First Lutheran Church in St. James. They made their home and raised their family in St. James. Herbert worked as a plumber's assistant and also learned the sheet metal trade. In 1952, he started his own business, Knudson's Plumbing and Heating. He retired in 1985. Herb could fix almost anything and he also enjoyed woodworking, making things out of tin, and flower and vegetable gardening. Herbert and Dorothy loved "Old Time" music and attended many dances throughout the state. They were members of the Polka group, "the Red and Whites". Herbert is survived and will be sadly missed by his 3 children; Judy (Mang) Van Ta, Shirley Knudson, and Roger Knudson and special friend Jan Tanner, all of St. James; Grandchildren Amy Cimprich of Seattle, WA, LeeAnn Van Ta of Mankato, Nikki Knudson-Dalal (Berzes) of Richfield, Michael Knudson of St. James, Natalie Graham of Seattle, WA, Nicki Knudson of Madelia, Christopher Knudson of St. James, and Danika Knudson of Cedar Park, TX.; 4 great-grandsons Ian and Evan Cimprich, Robert Knudson, and Andrew "Drew" Dalal; 1 sister Elsie Froslan of Keller, TX, sister-in-law Pauline Jorgenson of Richfield, brother-in-law Dale (Donna) Jorgenson of Chula Vista, CA.; special friend Rick Riesenberg of Lewisville, MN.; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Herbert was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy in 2006, his parents, 1 brother Merlyn Knudson of Kettle River, MN. and 1 sister Barbara Bloomquist of Tyler, TX. First Visitation 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday, March 27, 2014 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Second Visitation 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Friday, March 28, 2014 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 2:00 pm Friday, March 28, 2014 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Mt. Hope Cemetery, St. James S. CR 27 St. James, Minnesota, United States