Clayton Knutson

Clayton James Knutson was born August 14, 1928 to Linnea (Ketola) and John E. Knutson.

Eventually there were 11 children in the family on a small farm near Foley, MN. His father was a carpenter. Clayt enjoyed helping on the farm and with the large garden necessary to feed them all. He walked two miles to the country school.

In 1947 he graduated from Foley High School as valedictorian of the class. After receiving his B.S in Zoology from the University of Minnesota in 1951, he joined the Army and was sent to Korea where he served in the MASH.

When he returned from Korea he immediately began classes at the University of Minnesota toward a PhD in Fisheries & Wildlife Management. After a year of classes he tired of "being poor" and began a job at Prudential Life Insurance Co. where he worked for 30 years as a Group Insurance Underwriter and later in Planning and Analysis. But he never lost his love of the outdoors.

In 1965 he and Carolyn were married. They lived in Maple Grove from 1968 to 1996. When the children were younger, they camped from coast to coast, and in 1980 they purchased a lake place. They took trips to Norway, the U.K., Alaska, the Virgin Islands, as well as several in the U.S.

After retiring in 1984, Clayton kept busy working for Kelly Temporary Services, helping his brother with his tree business, as Assistant Boy Scout Master, helping with church maintenance, as well as keeping up the hobby farm and garden. He also did volunteer tax work and lake monitoring for the Department of Natural Resources.

In 1996 they moved to St. Paul. Their three children are Charlie (Liz) Knutson, Kathryn (John) O'Brien, and John (Laura) Knutson. The six grandchildren are Andrew & Claire Knutson, Alex & Thessaly Balasis, Linnae & Elise Knutson.

Preceding Clayt in death were siblings Einard, Elsie, Leonard, and Audrey. The surviving siblings are Wally, Pearl, Don, Evie, Mel, and Shirley; and many nieces and nephews.

Clayton passed away in St. Paul on March 29 at the age of 86. We especially want to thank the Veterans' Adult Day Care and Lyngblomsten staff for their loving care.

The Memorial Service will be Saturday, April 11, at CHRIST LUTHERAN, 105 West University Avenue, St. Paul at 11:00 A.M., with a visitation one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Lutheran.