Lloyd Knutson Obituary

Lloyd Dale Knutson was born on October 1, 1936, to Henry and Henrietta (Fillipi) Knutson in Warren, MN. He died on October 2, 2025, at the age of 89 and 1 day at the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center after a long struggle with lung disease.
He began life on the "March" farm near Warren, MN moving early to a farm on Falk Lake near Leonard, MN, when he was 4 years old. He had many happy memories of that time, although it was during the depression era. He began his education at Birchmound Country School, in Sinclair Township. Walking the mile and a half partway with neighbor children and later his Shetland pony, Prince.
In 1945, the farm was sold at auction, and his father bought a blacksmith shop in Trail, MN where Lloyd attended school. While there he used his pony, Prince, to deliver papers, saving his money to buy a saddle for Prince. He and another boy loved to ride around with their ponies.
The opportunity came to buy a farm in Gully township, and they moved there in 1947. His dad bought a TD14 bulldozer and began bulldozing. Lloyd attended high school in Gonvick, MN, graduating in 1955. After graduating he was hired as a deck hand and sailed on the Great Lakes for Interlake Steamship Company on an ore carrier, for 3 seasons. He enjoyed the experience very much, and always fondly recalled his time there. He was able to buy a new 56 Chevrolet, purchased a bulldozer, going into business with his father, doing mostly land clearing and road building and was self-employed for 30 years.
Lloyd married Janet Hanson of the Berner area in 1959, and was blessed with two sons, Daniel and Dean. They lived for awhile in Gonvick before building a home on his parent's farm. He tried several options to supplement their income including selling oil, road grading, and owning a dragline. In 1988 he quit bulldozing and took a job as a heavy duty mechanic for a construction company, MN Ltd. They did pipeline work, taking him to many diverse places. He worked for several companies and after 11 years, retired to the farm in Gully.
In his life he was able to enjoy many of his interests: motorcycles, snowmobiling, four wheeling, fishing, game cameras and hunting to name a few. He enjoyed life and people, nature, dogs and music. He was a fan of Gordon Light foot and attended several of his concerts. Most of all, he loved his family.
Lloyd had a deep personal faith in God and Jesus Christ the sustained him all his life.
Left to mourn his passing are his wife of 67 years, Janet, and his sons, Daniel and Dean (Tresa) Knutson, grandchildren, Kayla Knutson, Steven, Veronica (Sam Birkholz) Alexander and Katherine Knutson. Two great-grand children, Adaline and Kassandra Birkholz. Niece, Kathy (Harvey) Bergholz, nephews, Kevin (Jeanne), Bradley, Robert (Hoan), and Kenneth (MaryJo) Hanson, two step nephews, Matthew (Kristi), Chistopher (Laura) Zeigle, several grand nieces and nephews. Aunt, Shirley Knutson, many cousins, sister-in-law Cheryl Ann Hanson and former sister-in-law, Lois Hanson.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Henrietta Knutson, grandparents, brothers-in-law, Don (Marge) Hanson and Bob Hanson, step-nephew, Gregory Zeigle, two nieces, one grandniece, many aunts, uncles and cousins including his friend and cousin, Kenny Knutson.
He will be lovingly remembered and sorely missed.
Lloyd will be remembered at a Celebration of Life at the Gonvick American Legion, Sunday, November 2, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. with a visitation one hour prior.
Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com