Donald Keith Knutson

1931 - 2025

Donald Keith Knutson (94) was born on January 7, 1931, in Valley City, ND., the son of Thorvald & Helga (Andreason) Knutson. He died peacefully on November 3, 2025, at The Legacy Place in Valley City, ND., surrounded by his loving family. His Celebration of Life service will be held 10 am Saturday at the Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the chapel. Burial will be at St. Thomas Cemetery, Litchville, North Dakota.
Don grew up on a farm where he milked cows, worked the fields, and attended the country schools of Greenland & Rosebud 72 through his elementary years. His high school years were spent at Svea country school where he graduated in 1948. After graduation he helped his dad and brother on the family farm & for a couple of those years he also worked in Jamestown at Carters (Filling) Gas Station.
Don served in the US Army from 1955-1957, toward the end of the Korean War. He attended T-Dozer school in Germany & became a heavy construction equipment operator. He was stationed in France at Dreux, Paris & the last four months were spent in Bordeaux. While serving in the Army he became a Corporal. Don was a member of the American Legion & VFW.
In 1958, he married Carol Jean Hanenberg in Sanborn, ND. They made their home near Litchville, ND & farmed in the Svea-Rosebud area with their three children. Don & Carol also maintained a dairy operation during their married life. They were married 55 years when Carol passed away on November 17, 2013. They were members of the First Lutheran Church in Litchville, ND. Throughout the years that Don farmed he was in partnership with his brother, Arlen.
In 2014 he moved to Valley City, ND and lived in an apartment until 2017 when he became a resident of The Legacy Place in Valley City, ND. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching football, playing Pinochle, working puzzles, and taking a drive in the country, taking a different road each time.
Don is survived by his three children; son, Scott Knutson, Litchville, ND; daughter, Penny (Craig) Mattheis, Bismarck, ND; and son David (Kathy) Knutson, Litchville, ND; eight grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Gloria Knutson, Valley City, ND and numerous nieces & nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Thorvald & Helga Knutson; wife, Carol Knutson; brother, Arlen Knutson; sister, Lois Aase; sisters-in-law, June Orner, Betty Blakovich, MaryAnn Hanenberg; brothers-in-law, Vernon Aase, Norman Orner, Steve Blakovich, & John Hanenberg.