Donald Knuth

1922 - 2017

Knuth, Donald

Donald J. Knuth, age 94, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Thursday, January 5, 2017 at Arborwood Lodge in Wisconsin Rapids.

Services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. John Grohs and Rev. Jonathan Petzold will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery with military rites provided by VFW Post 2534. Visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services on Wednesday at the church.

Don was born October 1, 1922 in Wisconsin Rapids to Clarence and Esther (Ott) Knuth. He attended Edison and Immanuel Lutheran grade schools and graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1940.

He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II from 1942-1945. He participated in the "D-Day" invasion of France, landing on "Omaha Beach" in Normandy. He also participated in the Northern France, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), Rhineland, and Central Europe Campaigns. He received the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Medal, European/African/Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal with one Bronze Service Arrowhead, and a silver Battle Star for the five campaigns, the Victory Medal, the Normandy, France Jubilee Liberty Medal for the invasion, and a diploma from the French Government for service in France during WWII.

Don married Lois Kurz on September 11, 1948 in Wisconsin Rapids. They were blessed with 62 years of marriage and the birth of two daughters.

Don was a policeman for the City of Wisconsin Rapids for over 30 years. He was the department's first detective, later in command of the Detective Bureau. He also was the first Administrative Aide to the Chief of Police. He retired on January 31, 1978 with the rank of Inspector. After his retirement, he taught courses in Criminal Investigation for Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids, Stevens Point, and Marshfield.

He was a member of Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church, Wisconsin Rapids, where he had held various offices and served on various committees over the years.

Don was a Life Member and Past Commander of VFW Post 2534, and Past Commander of District 7 VFW, Department of Wisconsin VFW Past Chief of Staff, as well as Past National Deputy Chief of Staff VFW. He has served as Chairman of various committees on the local, district, and state levels of the VFW. He was also a member of other Veterans Organizations, including the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge.

Don was an avid reader, preferring history. His love of history was evidenced by the great number of books and tapes he had in his library. He also enjoyed writing, having written histories of the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department, VFW Post 2534, his autobiography, and the genealogy of his ancestry.

He was an avid camper, and in years past loved to travel throughout the United States with the travel trailer, including winter trips to the southern states. His numerous fishing trips to Canada over the years were enjoyable. For 25 years he enjoyed spending much of the summer in the trailer at Patricia Lake Campground in Minocqua.

Don is survived by two daughters: Sharon (Bruce) Borchert and Jacqueline (David) Crotteau of Wisconsin Rapids; grandson: Dominic (Renee) Crotteau, Kronenwetter; great-granddaughters: Shaughnessy and Maevyn Crotteau; sisters-in-law: Mae Knuth, Wisconsin Rapids, Yolande Kurz, Silver Spring, MD, Monique Kurz, Corpus Christi, TX; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lois, sister, Irene, brother-in-law, Henry Acott, and foster brother, Gerhardt Knuth.

Memorials may be designated to Immanuel Lutheran Church or School.