Richard Clair Knutson, Clinton (1922 - 2012)
December 17, 1922 - January 31, 2012
Richard Clair Knutson, 89, of Clinton, WI, died Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, in Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital, Oconomowoc, WI, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on Dec. 17, 1922, on the family farm, to Clarence and Ruth (Johnson) Knutson. Richard lived on the home farm his entire life, except for the last two years, where he resided at Three Pillars Retirement Community in Dousman. He graduated from Clinton High School in 1940 as Class Valedictorian. Richard was planning to attend Beloit College the following fall, but plans changed when his father was injured in a farm accident; Richard was needed at home to run the farm. He was a dairy and crop farmer until he retired in 1988. During WWII he worked at Fairbanks Morse building submarine engines. Richard also established Knutson’s Chainsaw Sales, which became a John Deere Consumer Products Dealership. Customers came from all over the area to buy, get things fixed, and especially talk to Richard.
In 2005 Richard was inducted into the Rock County Hall of Honor for his over 50 years of community service. He was both a member and treasurer of Hofto School Board in Clinton Township and a charter member of the Clinton Community School District School Board. He was treasurer seven of the 12 years he served on the Board, and was involved in the building of the elementary and high schools.
In the early 1950s Richard accepted the position from the Clinton Town Board as On-call Police Chief and was deputized by the Rock County Sheriff. He was also appointed by the Town Board in 1971 to fill a vacancy for supervisor, a position he was re-elected to until 1985. In 1985 he was elected Town Chairman and served the Clinton Town residents in that position until 2001, when he retired.
Richard served on the Citizen’s State Bank Board in Clinton in the 1980s and 1990s. He also served on the Blackhawk Technical College Board from 1978 to 1988 and chaired the Building Committee during the major expansion in the 1980s.
He was a lifelong member of Jefferson Prairie Lutheran Church, having sung in the choir and served on the Church Council as president. It was at church at a box social that he met the love of his life, Ardis Brager, when she came from Mount Horeb to help her uncle, the pastor. They were married on March 23, 1946, at Springdale Lutheran Church, and shared 58 years of marriage before her death in 2005. As a couple they shared a busy social life with many friends and some wild times, traveling the world. They especially enjoyed winters in Marco Island, entertaining family and friends Up North at the retirement home built by Richard and family, making lefse (he was the baker), and attending concerts and performances of their grandchildren.
A longtime member of the Masonic Lodge in Clinton and Beloit, Richard was both a 32nd Degree Mason and a Zor Shriner. For many years he drove a mini-car in parades all over Wisconsin. He continued to attend the Masonic meetings held at Three Pillars.
Richard was a voracious reader; up until his last days he read several newspapers and magazines daily. He was passionate about many things, especially politics. Richard was a strong supporter of education and was pleased his children attended college; although he never got to attend college himself, he never stopped learning. He was a talented artist, electrician, mechanic, builder, and woodworker.
Survivors include his sons, Craig (Julie) Knutson of Clinton, WI, and Brian (Jan) Knutson of Janesville, WI; daughters, Rebecca (Lee) Lawrence of Brookfield, WI and Stephanie (Mark) Schneider of Sykesville, MD; he was also a very proud grandpa to Kyle, Kallie (fiancé, Jordan), and Maren Knutson, Jeffrey, Jason and Matthew Knutson, Erik and Jordan Lawrence, and Christian and Cosette Schneider; he is further survived by sisters, Shirley (Bill) Carlson and Carol (Henry) Aufderhaar; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ardis; and brother, Kenneth.
The family would like to thank the staff at Compass Point for their assistance in his final years, the staff at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital for their kindness and compassionate care in his final days, and all the friends and community members who helped him in so many ways.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, in the JEFFERSON PRAIRIE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 23184 Bergen Rd., Poplar Grove, IL, with Reverend Thomas Groth officiating. Burial will be in Jefferson Prairie East Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, in the DALEY MURPHY WISCH & ASSOCIATES FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2355 Cranston Rd., Beloit, WI, with a Masonic Service at 4:30 p.m.
Memorials may be given in his name to Jefferson Prairie Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.daleymurphywisch.com.
