Roy E. Knuteson

1929 - 2012

Roy Emmett Knuteson, 82, of Wisconsin Rapids, went to be with his Lord on Feb. 5, 2012, at Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield, succumbing to the final stages of Parkinson's Disease. His children and loving wife were at his side when he passed.

Mr. Knuteson was born March 5, 1929, in Wisconsin Rapids, a son of the late J. Emmett and Florence Wilhelmina (Anderson) Knuteson. He grew up and attended schools in Wisconsin Rapids; graduating from Lincoln High School in 1947. In June of 1950, Roy married his sweetheart, Gertrude Parker of Pittsville. Together they served faithfully in churches and rest home ministries for over 60 years.

Roy received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University in Minneapolis, where he later taught as a Professor of Biblical Archaeology and New Testament Greek. He received his Masters of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and his Doctorate of Philosophy from the California Graduate School of Theology.

Dr. Knuteson was a prodigious writer, authoring numerous articles for Christian Magazines. He wrote for the Discerner Magazine, Christianity Today, Good News Broadcaster and Bibliotheca Sacra, along with online articles for The Baptist Bulletin and several Sunday School curriculum guides for Regular Baptist Press. For years he taught a weekly radio broadcast entitled, "Searching The Scriptures", reaching across America and into Quito Ecuador. Dr. Knuteson ministered as Senior Pastor in churches in Alexandria, Minn., Concord, Calif., Whittier, Calif., and Fort Collins, Colo. He served many years on the board of reference for Religion Analysis Service.

He and his wife were well-traveled, having lead several excursions to the Holy Land. He was instrumental in leading an expedition with the late Astronaut Jim Irwin to document the Exodus route of the Israelites from Egypt into the land of Midian and to discover the Biblically-correct site of Mount Sinai. He has served as long-time advisor to the Biblical Archaeology Search and Exploration Institute.

Roy is remembered by those who knew him as a man of uncompromising character, a man zealous to please Jesus Christ in each endeavor. He was always eager to share the good news of Christ's offering of salvation to anyone willing to listen. He "fought the good fight". He finished that special course set out for him ... all the while anxiously waiting the appearing of his Lord. He no longer waits.

Survivors include his wife, Gertrude "Trudi" (Parker) Knuteson, Wisconsin Rapids; two daughters, Becky (Lawrence) Bulla, Canton, Ga., and Carol (Randy) Yaussi, Windsor, Colo.; a son, Randall (Lori) Knuteson, Hoschton, Ga.; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and his brother, George (Marilyn) Knuteson, Hugo, Minn. He is preceded in death by his sister, Frances "Fran" Parker, Plover.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, at Faith Baptist Church, 2740 14th St. S., Wisconsin Rapids, with the Rev. Stephen Steinmetz officiating. Interment will be in the Pioneer Cemetery, town of Saratoga, Wood County.

Visitation is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Ritchay Funeral Home, 1950 12th St. S., Wisconsin Rapids; and from 10 a.m. until time of services Thursday at the church.

Memorial gifts can be made to the Faith Baptist Church in Wisconsin Rapids.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith - 11 Tim. 4: