Henry Nickolas Knudsen

1935 - 2022

Henry Nickolas Knudsen

May 11, 1935-January 22, 2022

CLINTON-Henry Nickolas Knudsen, 86, of Clinton, Iowa, passed away Saturday, January 22, 2022 at his home in Clinton. Private family services will be held. A celebration of Henry's life is being planned for the Spring. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Clinton. Snell-Zornig Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting snellzornig.com.

Henry was born May 11, 1935 in Calamus, Iowa, the son of Jacob and Eva (Trenkamp) Knudsen. Henry married Betty Joan Wulf January 26, 1957 in Lost Nation, Iowa; she died January 15, 1995.

Henry was an IBEW electrician working with both Chicago NW and the Union Pacific Railroads for 30 years. He was also the caretaker at Eagle Point Park, working for the Clinton Park Board for several years.

Henry was an avid outdoorsman, and he loved anything nature. He had a very curious and inventive mind, always tinkering out in his garage. He could fix anything. He was also very adventurous, and would try anything once. He loved spelunking, hang gliding in the dunes, fishing, frogging, rock climbing and camping. He enjoyed traveling, always searching out the local haunts, taking the least beaten path, and finding a great place to eat.

He was very active in the Boy Scouts, serving as Scoutmaster, and his scouts were introduced to many of his outdoor activities.

He enjoyed cruising the Riverfront with his sweetie Bee, and they delighted in eating out at all their favorite local restaurants. He always got a cup of his salted caramel macchiato, not too sweet. One always knew where to find him every Friday enjoying a bowl of clam chowder and salmon loaf with pea gravy, sometimes with a side of sour cream raisin pie, or a trip to the ice cream shop.

He was also known to stop by and watch the progress on all the construction projects going on around town. He was especially looking forward to watching the building of the new railroad bridge.

But most of all, Henry loved spending time with his family. You could always find him at one of his kids and grandkids sporting events. He loved to take his kids, grandkids and great grandkids hiking through nature and down to the river to skip rocks.

Survivors include his sweetie, Bee Burden of Clinton, IA; children, Threasa (Rick) Johnson of Clinton, IA; Jim (Tammy) Knudsen of Port Charlotte, FL; Dale Knudsen of Port Angeles, WA; Mark (Lori) Knudsen of Fulton, IL; Kathy (Lorne) Burgess of Davenport, IA and Jerry Knudsen of Clinton, IA; grandchildren, Marisa, Raelyn, Curt, Chris, Gordon, Nate, Andrew, Melissa, Magen, Brad and Ben; great-grandchildren, Dan Jr., Isla, Zayn, Noah, Layla, Colten, Evan, Ella, Logan, Maddux, Macklin, Abby, Alaina and Ally; siblings, Marge (Ingwer) Feddersen of DeWitt, IA; Edna Knudsen BVM of Dubuque, IA; Lucy Chapman of LeClaire, IA and Lily (Ken) Kaczinski of Grand Mound, IA.

In addition to his wife, Henry was preceded in death by his sister, Marie Knudsen BVM; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Mary Knudsen; brother-in-law, Larry Chapman and his parents.

Memorials may be made to Mercy Hospice or the American Cancer Society.