Steve Michael Knutson

To view a recording of the service, paste the following link into your browser: https://youtu.be/tPQCJctot0Y The funeral service for Steve Knutson, 67, of Wood Lake, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Posen Township. Visitation will be Monday from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment with military honors will follow the service at St. Luke’s Cemetery. Steve Michael Knutson was born on June 5, 1954, in Echo, MN, to Robert and Grace (Schrupp) Knutson. He grew up in both Echo and Wood Lake, graduating from Wood Lake High School in 1972. Steve enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He completed his training in Texas and was stationed at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS, and Offutt AFB in Bellevue, NE. Steve loved his country and was very proud of his service. He was especially proud to wear his U.S. Air Force baseball cap at Mayo Clinic. On December 22, 1973, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Maureen Naab, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. They lovingly celebrated 47 years of marriage this past December with a horse carriage ride through Independence Park. Together they raised 3 daughters, Robbin, Holly and Brittany, and if we can be honest, handled being outnumbered by women quite well. After his honorable discharge, the couple moved to their farm in Wood Lake. Steve dairy farmed with the Naab family for a few years, and later went to work in Redwood Falls for Zytec, later Artesyn and Daktronics. He worked for this company for 40 years, retiring in 2017. Steve was an active member of his community, serving on the Posen Township Board for 24 years, Lakeview School Board, and the Wood Lake American Legion. Steve was a contributing member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church and served in many roles including Chairman, Treasurer and Elder. For anyone that knew Steve, saying he was passionate about athletics was an understatement. He was an athlete himself and was the biggest fan in the stands during his daughters’ high school years. When grandchildren came, he was the first to text or follow up after a game or swim meet and enjoyed following all their activities as well. He and Maureen enjoyed riding their Harleys, and many weekends were spent getting the cycles out and spontaneously choosing a direction, with the only plan to be home in time for chores. Special trips over the years included Sturgis, Yellowstone, Mexico, and Northern Minnesota as part of Warriors & Walleyes, which he was so honored to be selected as a Veteran to participate. Steve also looked forward to coffee in town, fishing with friends and family, and quiet mornings on his front porch. He was a kind, selfless, and humble man who valued his church, country, family, and preferred a simple life. Steve was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2016, fighting fiercely and bravely for 5 years. Steve died on Monday, June 28, 2021, under the care of Prairie Home Hospice and surrounded by family at his residence in rural Wood Lake. He is survived by his wife, Maureen, of Wood Lake, daughters Robbin (Mike) Imes of Wood Lake, Holly (Patrick) Running of Alexandria and Brittany (David) Krull of Marshall, grandchildren Tyler and Kiana Imes, Cooper, Dayton and Jaeger Running and Bentley Krull, father and mother in-law, Dennis and Delores Naab, Wood Lake, siblings Curtis (Corliss) Knutson, Wood Lake, Robert (Laurie) Knutson, Wood Lake, Richard Knutson, Wood Lake, Greg (Luanne) Knutson, Fargo, ND, Carol (Rick) Hughes, Palmetto, FL, Andy Knutson, Palmetto, FL, Michael (Lisa) Knutson, Granite Falls, Barbara (Don) Mock, Wood Lake, Susan (Bradley) Timm, Wood Lake, in-laws Steven (Sandra) Naab, Marshall, Jenny (David) Larsen, Echo, Jena (Clark) Corbin, Minneota, Sandi Naab, Las Vegas, NV, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law Timmy Naab, sister-in-law Kristine Naab, and loyal dog, Piper.