Jeffrey Owen Knutzen

Knutzen, Jeffrey Owen, D.D.S.
Feb 19, 1951 - Sep 5, 2011

Age 60. Passed away suddenly at his home. Jeff was born in Omaha, NE, son of Dr. Owen and LuAnn Knutzen. Jeff graduated from Burke High in 1969, and attended Hasting College, Hastings, NE where he received a BA. He attended the University of NE, College of Dentistry, Lincoln, and received his D.D.S. in 1977. He had a General Dentistry practice for 7 years in Omaha before returning for a Certificate of Specialization in Pedodontics from the University of NE Medical Center, Omaha, NE in 1986. He was a member of the AAPD, ADA, MDA and SWMO Dental Society. Jeff met his future wife Lisa in Omaha where they later married on Oct. 12, 1985. A devoted family man, he worked as a Pediatric Dentist in Omaha and Springfield, MO, before settling his family in Carl Junction, MO. Jeff was a pedodontist for 22 years in Joplin, MO. Jeff was an Elder and Trustee of First Presbyterian Church, Joplin, and Chair of the Finance Committee. He was also a member of the Joplin Noon and WC/CJ Rotary Clubs. As a passionate supporter of Carl Junction schools, he was the videographer for the CJ Volleyball team and coached his children's sports teams. A die-hard Yankees and NE Cornhuskers fan, he was also a music and movie aficionado. Jeff is survived by his wife Lisa, Carl Junction; four children, Jason, of Los Angeles; Laura, of Phoenix; Elisabeth, of Dallas; and Scott, of Stanford, CA; parents, Dr. Owen and LuAnn Knutzen, Denver, CO, and Phoenix, AZ; sister, Mary (Alan) Barton, of Denver, CO; brother Andrew (Karen) Knutzen, of Littleton, CO; in-laws Tom and Barb Severinghaus, of Carl Junction, MO; two brothers-in-law, Joel (Beverly Westra) Severinghaus of Des Moines, IA; and Bob (Christina) Severinghaus of Monterey, CA; as well as 4 nieces and 4 nephews; aunt, Pearl Mahrt of Fremont, NE, and Merle Knutzen of Brookings, SD; and many cousins in the midwest.
VISITATION SERVICES will be 5-7pm Thursday at Parker Mortuary, 1502 S. Joplin Ave, Joplin, MO. FUNERAL SERVICES will be at 11am Friday at First Presbyterian Church, 509 S. Pearl, Joplin, MO. The body will be interred at Maple Grove Cemetery, Cedar Bluffs, NE, at 2pm Saturday. Memorials may be made to Carl Junction Schools - Volleyball Program or First Presbyterian Church of Joplin, MO, in care of Parker Mortuary. PARKER MORTUARY
Joplin, MO 417-623-4321