Russell "Vern" LaVern Knutson

Russell LaVern “Vern” Knutson was born on a farm in South Dakota to Clarence Ole Knutson and Josephine Olive (Driggs) Knutson on May 8, 1929, just prior to the great depression.  Vern passed away peacefully in the hospital in Parker, Colorado and was reunited with the love of his life on April 14, 2023, at the age of 93.  His beloved wife of 65 years, Alyce M. (Hanson) Knutson, died in 2016, and he talked of joining her ever since in heaven.

Vern was the 5th child out of 6 children.  He attended elementary school in Letcher, South Dakota until the 3rd grade, then in a one room rural school east of Letcher until the middle of the 8th grade then back to Letcher where he graduated 8th grade.  Vern only attended one and a half years of high school and worked on various farms until he was 16 years old.  Vern moved to Mitchell with his parents in 1946 where he worked various jobs and on the railroad for 2 ½ years. 

Vern enlisted in the Army in 1949.  After only 87 days in the Army he received a disability discharge due to a medical condition with his left arm.  Vern married Alyce Hanson on October 15, 1950.  He was employed at a furniture store, then a milk route for Tests Dairy for 2 years before joining Culhane’s Dairy for 19 years as a route delivery driver.  After only one year as a salesman for Moorman’s Feeds the family moved to Lakewood, Colorado in 1974 in hopes he would be hired by Coors Brewery.  Vern worked for a grocery store, King Soopers, until April of 1976 when he was, finally, hired by Coors.  Coors turned out to be the best job Vern ever had and he retired from Coors after 17 years with a good pension and benefits at the age of 64.

Reluctant to sit around, Vern worked part time jobs until he was 75 years old when he finally retired for good.  Vern enjoyed volunteer work at the Elks Lodge where he was a member for over 70 years.  One of his dreams was to go to the Elks National Foundation in Chicago and this dream was filled with going on this trip with son Scott and grandson Connor.  Vern was very proud of the contributions he made each year to the Elks National Foundation for college scholarships for young people.  He was also a member of the American Legion in Lakewood, Colorado.

Telling stories to anyone that would listen was one of his favorite pastimes.  So many stories of growing up with his siblings and lots of stories on the many years on the milk route.  His kids and friends will not only miss Vern but, also, employee discounts for Coors products. Proudly he would show their 65th wedding anniversary album to anyone he could grab!

In addition to his wife, Alyce, and his parents, Vern was preceded in death by his, 4 brothers, LeRoy, Darwin, Delbert and Marion and his only sister Kathleen Lucid Bender.  Survivors are daughters Debby (Jim) Wishmier, Lori Schultz (Jim Ziegler), sons Scott (Mindy) Knutson and Brock Knutson.  Vern is also survived by his brother-in-law Darrell Hanson, 7 grandchildren Sean Simpson, Megan Freeman, Marissa Schultz, Connor and Karlie Knutson, Elliot and Emarie Knutson and 2 great grandchildren, Tayvian and Lincoln Freeman as well as step grandchildren, Jerusha, Nick, Seth and step great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate Vern’s life will be in Mitchell, South Dakota on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 2 PM at New Home Lutheran Church, 1023 S. Minnesota Street, Mitchell, SD 57301. Graveside ceremony then to follow at New Home Cemetery.  ALL FLOWERS NEED TO BE DELIVERED TO THE CHURCH.

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