Neil L. Knutson, 83, of Brownsdale, Minnesota, died on Wednesday Oct. 17, 2018, following complications of cancer, on the farm he loved, in his daughter’s home in rural Spring Valley, Minnesota.

Neil Luverne Knutson was born on April 3, 1935, at his parent’s home in Sargeant, Minnesota, to Theodore and Marvel (Stayner) Knutson. He grew up in Sargeant, where he attended school before going to Hayfield High School, graduating in 1953. He enlisted into the U.S. Army, serving overseas in Germany, where he achieved the rank of corporal and was chosen after try-outs to play for the Army football team while stationed there. Following his discharge in 1955, he returned to Sargeant. Neil was married on Dec. 28, 1955, by the Rev. Stensland to Judith Ann Meyer at Zion Lutheran Church in Dexter, Minnesota. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Rochester, Minnesota, and Spring Valley, where they began farming and Neil began his lifelong career as a commercial painter. The Knutson family moved to Lancaster, California, where they lived for nine years before returning to rural Spring Valley. They farmed part-time and Neil was employed as a union painter by many of the commercial painting companies in Rochester, often on Mayo Clinic projects. He and his son, Bradley, operated Knutson Painting together for a few years. Judy was a homemaker and, following Neil’s retirement, they moved to Brownsdale in 1988, where they have continued to make their home. Neil was a past member of Zion Lutheran Church in Dexter as a boy and was confirmed there by the Rev. Stensland. He attended First Baptist Church in Brownsdale for many years. He considered himself to be half farmer and enjoyed taking care of the animals on the farm and was very interested in land stewardship and attended classes to learn more. He was an avid reader who enjoyed history and loved reading his Bible and sharing his love for the Lord. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and was a big Vikings fan. He enjoyed visiting with friends and loved time spent with his family.

Neil is survived by his wife, Judy; and one son and three daughters, Kim Knutson (Steve) Vandonselarr of rural Spring Valley, Ryan Knutson of Spring Valley, Ann (Eric) Anderson of Bagley, Minnesota, and Barbara Meyer of Rochester; 11 grandchildren, Teresa Mason, Vanessa Mason, Christopher Knutson (Megan Dahl), Katie (Brian) Bernard, Nick (Kayla) Knutson, Andre Hernandez, Braden Knutson (Gretchen Backus), Joshua Anderson, Jeremiah Anderson, Cody Knutson and Kendra Anderson (Caleb Waggoner); step grandchildren, Alexa (Nathan) Engstrom and Kurt Vandonselaar; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Arletta Bungum of Sargeant, Judy Bungum of Austin, Minnesota, and Ruth(George) Emro of Owatonna, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Bradley; his parents; two sisters, Alice Peterson and Sharon Falconer; brothers, Knute Knutson, Donald Knutson, Theodore “Ted” Knutson Jr.  and Gerald Knutson; two baby sisters; and one baby brother.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, at Zion Lutheran Church, 66632 300th St., Dexter, MN 55926, with the Rev. Ben Simons officiating. A time of visitation will be held from 9:30-11 a.m. on Tuesday at the church. Burial with military graveside honors will take place at the church cemetery. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville.