Royal “Jim” Knutson

Obituary

Royal James “Jim” Knutson was born on April 27, 1925, on the family farm south of Heatwole in Lynn Township, McLeod County, Minnesota. He was the son of Knute and Alice (Sorensen) Knutson. Jim was baptized as an infant on May 24, 1925, and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth on April 2, 1939. He received his education in Hutchinson, Minnesota, and was a graduate of the Hutchinson High School Class of 1943.

While being busy working at the family farm with his father, Jim was active playing on various town baseball teams and impressing the local young ladies. During this time, he met and dated Margaret E. Fisher, who accepted his proposal. They were married on June 28, 1950, and shared 56 years of marriage until Margaret passed away on January 16, 2007. During this marriage, Jim and Margaret served as foster parents to several young boys, and eventually adopted two sons, Bradley and Timothy.

Jim was active in the community in many ways. Jim served as a Lynn Township board member from 1965 to 1988. He was a Farmer’s Elevator board member during the construction period for the larger new facility on the eastern edge of Hutchinson for about a decade. He was involved with the McLeod County Fair Board, and served as the county Agricultural Inspector in 1978, retiring in December of 1992. Jim was also a member of the American Post 96 in Hutchinson. In the little free-time he had, he enjoyed hunting with Brad, fishing with Margaret and his friends making several trips to Lake of the Woods each winter. Jim and Margaret also enjoyed playing cards, especially Bridge.

Following Margaret’s death, Jim eventually reconnected with a former elementary school classmate, Marion Braun who was previously widowed. They enjoyed sharing their senior years together as special friends, eventually both ending up residing at Cedar Crest Estate in Silver Lake due to health concerns. Marion passed away in November of 2019.

Jim passed away on Friday, December 18, 2020, at Cedar Crest Estate in Silver Lake at the age of 95 years.

Blessed be his memory.

Jim is survived by his:
Sons, Bradley (Tracee) Knutson of Eden Prairie, MN,
          Timothy (Deanne) Knutson of Hutchinson, MN;
4 Grandchildren, Bryan (Beth) Knutson, Michelle Knutson Potter (Ted), Deserae Knutson Dostal (Josh), and Nathan Knutson;
11 Great Grandchildren; Peyton Potter, Dakota Potter, James Knutson, Lily Knutson, Logan Dostal, Jaden Dostal, Easton Dostal, Braxton Dostal, Calan Roepke, Taite Knutson, and Alison Kath;
Sister, Phyllis Lamp of Hutchinson, MN;
Many Nieces, Nephews, other relatives and friends.

Jim is preceded in death by his Parents, Knute and Alice Knutson; Wife, Margaret Knutson; Siblings, Marilyn Krohn and her husband, Donald, and a baby brother who died at birth; Brothers and Sisters-In-Law, Alex Lamp, Ruth Jensen and her husband, Hans, Lester Fisher and his wife, Eleanor, Melvin “Pat” Fisher, and Doris “Tootie” Fisher.

Memorials preferred to Alzheimer’s Association in memory of his wife, Margaret.