1928
2020
Gerald Knudson
Gerald H Knudson, better known as Jerry, the fifth son of Mary and Ed Knudson, passed away on Sept. 10, 2020. He was born on June 13, 1928, in Mandan. He was raised and educated in Mandan, attended St. Joseph's Catholic grade school and Mandan High School, graduating in 1946. In the summer of 1946, he enlisted in the Army and spent eight months in Manila making maps of the SW Pacific. He was discharged in 1947. Upon returning home he attended St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn., and finished his education at the University of ND with a BS in Business Administration.
While at college he met Eleanor Benson. They were married in August of 1951. In November of that same year, he was called to active duty during the Korean conflict as an officer in the USAF and served at Lake Charles Air Base, La. Upon the death of his mother and father in 1952 and '53, he resigned his commission in the AF, to come home and share responsibility of the family business, Crescent Printing Company, with his brothers, Myles and Richard. He purchased his brothers' interests in Crescent Printing in 1954 and remained sole owner until the time of his retirement in 1992.
He served on many boards, including nine years on the MHS school board (59-68), served on the hospital board that built the Mandan hospital, was active in the Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, the Knights of Columbus, was an officer in the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and was instrumental in the formation of the Mandan Fr DeSmet Assembly. He was active in Elks, Kiwanis, and Rotary. He was an active member of Christ the King parish, serving as one of the first Eucharistic lay ministers and also ran the CCD program for a year. He served in prison ministry, Kairos, for 10 years and served as the National Director of Kairos International. He was an active member of the Cursillo movement from the 1960s to the present. He was asked by the bishops of Fargo and Bismarck to work with the ND legislature on anti-pornography bills and did so for one session.
Like many men, Jerry lived and worked and had a family. However, his greatest legacy is in his gift of service to others. This is evidenced in his work in numerous local civic groups. His faith and love of the Lord grew from the model of his parents and his involvement in Cursillo. Along with his wife, Eleanor, he attended to the elderly at various nursing homes, visiting and bringing Eucharist. His greatest joy in life was in bringing Eucharist to shut-ins and the elderly.
Jerry will be deeply missed by his wife, Eleanor; together they had 13 children: Chris Phelps, husband Gregg, N Chesterfield, Va., granddaughter Jenny. Mary Izarelli (deceased), husband Gene, Ventura, Calif., grandchildren Gina, Laura, Melissa, great-grandchildren Ian, Gianni, Cadence, Ryan. Nora Paulson, husband Dave, Arlington Heights, Ill., grandchildren Nels, Britta. Geris Hopfauf, husband Mike, Mandan, grandchildren Nikki, Kati, Brooke, great-grandchildren Hudson, Charlee, Finlee, Lucy. Steven Knudson (deceased), wife Aggie, Minot, grandchildren Lindsey and Brent, great-grandchildren Aleena , Braun, Cora. Connie Knudson, Reno, Nev. Tracy Geygan, husband Scott, Broomfield, Colo., grandchildren Wendy, Allie, Maren, great-grandchildren, Grant, Ara. Kurt Knudson, Lyons, Colo., grandchildren Crystal, Erik, great-grandchildren Savaejah, ZaeLynn. Gerald Henry Knudson II (deceased). Jody Marquez, Westminster, Colo., grandchildren Ben, Alicia, Melia. Beth Barnhardt, Omaha, Neb., grandchildren Grace, Liam. Katie Dunn, husband Dave, Oakwood, Ohio, grandchildren Jared and Caleb. Jane Whitney, husband Mark, Morristown, Minn., grandchildren Brady, Elle, Owen.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Mary Knudson, brothers, Eddie, Dick, Emmanuel, and Myles, and by three children: Mary, Steve, and Hank.
A mass of Christian Burial for Jerry will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, Sept. 17, at Christ the King Catholic Church, Mandan, with Reverend Fred Harvey as celebrant. Burial to follow at Mandan Union Cemetery.
Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Rosary and Vigil service at 7 p.m.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
Dear Eleanor
I visited Jane Bair today & she told me that your husband passed on
My sympathy to you on Jerry´s passing. So sorry for your loss
Diane Peterson
Diane Peterson
November 3, 2020
a loved one
September 16, 2020
a loved one
September 16, 2020
Sandy Stockert
September 15, 2020
Jerry certainly made a big difference in the Bismarck/Mandan communities. I remember when he made space available to group of teenagers they named Maranatha. Thanks to you, Eleanor, for sharing him with his work. You made a great team. Prays and sympathy go with this message.
Barbara Dove
September 14, 2020
Nicholas Welle
September 14, 2020
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