Donald "Don" Knutson

Donald "Don" Knutson, 95, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Monday, July 18, 2022 at Bethany Home in Brandon. His funeral service will begin on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. in the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids. Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 29, 2022 at Kahler-Brende Funeral Home.  Interment will be in the Dell Rapids Cemetery.

Donald Wayne Knutson was born May 11, 1927, to Morris and Rosie (Swenson) Knutson on a farm near Colton, SD. He moved with his family to a farm east of Dell Rapids in 1940 and attended country school and Trent High School. He attended Dell Rapids High School his senior year, graduating in 1945. He then continued to work with his dad on the family farm. Don first asked Luella Marie Nebben to dance in October of 1945, they were married in 1949 at the Colman Lutheran Church, and they continued to dance together until her untimely death in 1977. After their marriage, the couple moved to the family farm with his parents and during this time were blessed with the surprise of twin daughters, Joan and Joy. A few years later they moved to their own farmhouse and then farmed west of Trent for six years where their son Brad was added to the family. They moved into Dell Rapids in 1966. A strong work ethic was important to Don and in the following years, Don bought into a lumber yard, worked for All-American Freight, Dakota Welding Supply, drove truck for Leland Randall, spent many years working for A-OX Welding Supply and then after most people would have retired, he worked for the Dell Rapids Lumber Company.

Don was an active member of the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids for many years, serving in many capacities, including head usher. Don loved his many trips to the Black Hills to visit family and enjoy the scenery. He took great joy in maintaining his beautiful flower garden and watching the many birds that visited his yard. His favorite thing though, was his family, both his immediate family and his and Luella’s many extended family members. Holidays at Lue’s mother’s home, multiple card games, and many nights dancing and seeing movies made him very happy. As he spent more time at home, he especially enjoyed seeing his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and making his famous Jell-O for all of them! Don was blessed with dear friends that made his life all the better and he was grateful for all his days.

Grateful for having shared his life are his three children: daughters Joan Wangberg of Colman, SD and Joy (Robert) Jacobson of Harrisburg, SD, and son Brad (Julie) Knutson of Omaha, NE; seven grandchildren: Jennifer (Jeff) Keyes of Colman, SD, Heather (Jason) Ahrendt, Sioux Falls, SD, Jackie (Kevin) Cordova, Las Vegas, NV, Aaron (Amber) Jacobson, W. St. Paul, MN, Peter Knutson, Thomas Knutson, and Emma Knutson, all of Omaha; eleven great grandchildren: Nicolas, Tye, and Rebecca Wangberg, Jonathon and Joselyn Keyes, Gabrielle and Lincoln Ahrendt, Grace, Isabella, and Emily Cordova, and Lexi Job; sister Donna Mae (Don) Broksieck, Basehor, KS; and sister in law, Arlie Knutson, Sioux Falls, SD; his extended family and great friends.

Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Luella; his parents, Morris and Rosie Knutson; two sisters, Harriet Kroger and Betty Anderson; three brothers, Sam Knutson, Merle Knutson, and Dick Knutson; son-in-law Kenny Wangberg; and special friend Delores Culhane.

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