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Donald Knudtson Obituary
Donald George Knudtson
COTTAGE GROVE, MN - Donald G. Knudtson, age 83 of Cottage Grove, MN and formerly of Bangor, WI passed away August 19, 2021 at Walker Methodist in West St. Paul, MN of esophageal cancer.
Donald was born on November 16th, 1937 in Bangor (Dutch Creek), WI at home of the family dairy farm to Alvin and Florence Knudtson. Donald graduated from Bangor High school in 1955 and attended the inter- mountain school of Telegraphy and accounting in Salt Lake City, UT in 1956. upon graduation Donald hired out with the Milwaukee Road in 1957 and worked various railroad stations and towers between Hastings, MN and Milwaukee, WI as a Telegrapher until he was promoted to Train Dispatcher at La Crosse, WI in 1966. Don worked on the railroad for 42 years with The Milwaukee Road/Soo Line/ CP Rail and retired in 1999 at the CP Minneapolis Operations Center. Don was also a member of the Army National Guard out of Sparta, WI.
In December of 1961, Don married the love of his life Nancy Hemker in West Salem, WI at Christ Lutheran Church and they were married for 59 years. Donald was a proud grandpa and family was his first priority, he also enjoyed his flower gardens as well as his cattle he helped raise on his son and wife's hobby farm. He always enjoyed watching sports especially the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers basketball and football.
Donald is survived by his wife, Nancy; children: Sheri, Brian (Vicki) Knudtson, Nicole (Tony) Adams; grandchildren: Anna and Alex Adams; step grandchildren: Eric and Kiersten; sisters, Alice Pfaff, Luella Pierce, and Florence (Ron) Munson; as well as sisters-in-law: Marge Knudtson and Jane Knudtson; and many other relatives, and friends. Donald is preceded in death by parents, Alvin and Florence Knudtson; brothers: Kenneth (Doris) Knudtson, Harold (Mary Lou) Knudtson, Bernie Knudtson, Lyle (Marty) Knudtson, and Edmond "Butch" Knudtson; and brothers-in-law, Myron Pfaff and Doug Pierce. Visitation will take place at Kok Funeral home, 7676 80th St S, Cottage Grove, MN on Sunday, August 29 from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.. Funeral will take place at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 1000 Portland Ave, St. Paul Park, MN on Monday August 30 at 11:00 a.m.. Visitation one hour prior to service Monday.
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Memories and Condolences
for Donald Knudtson
Sponsored by Kok Funeral Home & Cremation Service - Cottage Grove.
4 Entries
Patricia Gendreau (Zurbuchen)
August 14, 2023
Donnie you are missed everyday. Loved your smile!
Morris and Patricia Gendreau
August 30, 2021
Prayers to all in Donald G Knudtson family.
Going to be deeply missed Donald!
Prayers to all of the family members.
Donnie you are going to greatly missed, GOD BLESS!
Gordon Smith
August 27, 2021
Don was such a good friend. He was an excellent Train Dispatcher, someone who loved what he did his entire life. I always enjoyed his railroad stories, and he had a lot of them! You'll be sorely missed, RIP my friend!!
Patricia and Morris Gendreau
August 21, 2021
Prayers to the families of Donald Knudtson.
Donnie will be greatly missed
and always his smile. Rest in Peace
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Kok Funeral Home & Cremation Service - Cottage Grove7676 80th Street South, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
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