James O. Knutson, 90
James Olander Knutson, 90, of Austin died on Oct. 4, 2008, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home in Austin.
He was born Jan. 14, 1918, near Preston, Minn., the son of Knute and Clara (Moger) Knutson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the Union Prairie Lutheran Church. He attended country school near his home before moving to Austin. After moving to Austin, James worked first as an elevator operator and then on the hog kill for the Geo A. Hormel Company for thirty-two years, until his retirement. He was married to Helen Barber and they were later divorced. On June 18, 1960, he was united in marriage to Loretta McGhie at Chatfield, Minn. The couple lived in Austin where they raised their family and lived near Crane Community Chapel. James enjoyed playing pin ball machines, old time music and playing cards. He had been a resident of St. Mark’s Lutheran Home for five years.
James is survived by his wife, Loretta Knutson, Austin; five children, Janice Glasgow, St. Paul, Minn., Sandra (James) Fitzgerald, Wabasha, Phillip (Randi) Knutson, Pueblo, Colo., Dennis (Debra) Knutson, Austin and Marlene (Robert) Connelly, Lanesboro; 22 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers and three sisters, Kermit (Joyce) Knutson, Lanesboro, Darrell (Doris) Knutson, Rochester, Charlotte Lillie, Austin, Mary Ann (Harvey) Knapp, Mason City, Iowa and Mylett Marquette, Harmony; as well as many other relatives and friends. 
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, David and five brothers and three sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008, at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Dale Christiansen of Crane Community Chapel officiating. Interment will follow the service in the Sumner Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Chatfield, Minn. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the Worlein Funeral Home.