Wendell Kermit Knutson

A memorial service commemorating the life of Wendell Knutson, 83, of Waconia, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the Sunset Funeral Home in Echo, Minnesota. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Fairview Cemetery in Renville, MN.

On October 7, 2026 Wendell Knutson gained his wings and went home to be with the Lord and was welcomed with open arms by his wife and daughter.

Wendell was born on April 21, 1943 in Belview to Henry and Irene Knutson. He was one of six children. Growing up he was known as a mischievous kid. He would be found doing something that would most likely get him into trouble. Wendell ended up dropping out of school 2 weeks before turning 16 and moved to Georgia to build barns. After spending all of his money in Georgia, he decided it wasn’t for him and came back to Minnesota.

In 1961, Wendell met his wife Bonnie at a dance hall in Renville. They would often be found going to dances together, playing cards, or skating together. You could often find Wendell skating backwards and Bonnie skating forward. On September 26, 1964, after dating for 3 years, Wendell and Bonnie got married. From that marriage they welcomed two children, Anita and Chad.

Wendell held many jobs throughout his life from building barns in Georgia, working Belview Cement for 23 years, and lastly truck driving where he drove for various trucking companies. He had travel all over the country and made many memories. In 2008, Wendell decided it was time to hang up the keys and retire to spend more time with Bonnie. In retirement he was often found spending time with family, playing cards, or doing some kind of project. Wendell did many woodworking projects in his son’s garage and donated many items including carnival games, a bench, bookshelves, and art tables to the local school Cologne Academy. When Wendell could no longer do woodworking projects, he began cross stitching and loop knitting hats to donate to local churches. Wendell was also known for spending countless hours volunteering with various organizations and at Good Samaritan where he would later move to in 2023.

Wendell was known for always having some kind of advice. Some of it was good, other was questionable. When asked what is one piece of advice he would want shared he said “Life is short, make memories.” You would also often hear him say to his grandkids “Don’t be like me” when it came to being mischievous.

Wendell died on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Home in Waconia.

Wendell is survived by son Chad (Karen) Knutson of Watertown, SD, and son-in-law Kelly Bavier of Eau Claire, WI; four grandchildren, Leah (Chris) Engen, Ashley (Adam) Cetnar, Jordon (Clay) Wellman, and Trenton Knutson; and four great-grandchildren; Lucy, Matthew, and Rose Cetnar, and Katie Wellman; siblings Eunice Molested of Renville, MN, Hilding (Linda) Knutson of Redwood, MN, Ilyene (Merlin) Kletcher of Belview, MN, and Milo Knutson of Belview, MN, sister-in-law Myrt Knutson of Minnetonka, MN; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Wendell is proceeded in death by his parents Henry and Irene Knutson, wife Bonita (Bonnie) Knutson, daughter Anita Bavier and brother Hillman Knutson.