Kermit Knutson, 85, died on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls, MN.


Funeral services will be 3:00 PM, Saturday, April 28, 2007 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Rev. Gary Graff officiating. Burial will follow in St. Anthony Cemetery, Terrebonne, MN.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 27, 2007 from 5-8 PM at Johnson Funeral Service in Red Lake Falls, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Saturday.

Kermit Knutson was born on January 8, 1922 in Plaza, ND to Knute H. and Tildy (Helle) Knutson. At the age of 10 he moved with his family to Thompson, ND. He served his country in the US Army from 1940-1945.

After returning home from the service, Kermit was united in marriage to Lois Simon on September 12, 1947. They moved to Chicago, IL in 1954. They returned to Minnesota in 1956 where they made a home on a farm near Terrebonne. He farmed until 1971. Kermit was a farmer at heart all of his life. In 1971, he moved to Red Lake Falls, and was elected Sheriff in Red Lake County where he served from 1971-1987. He retired from law enforcement in January of 1987.

Kermit enjoyed coffee with his friends at Memories where he liked to roll dice for coffee. He also played cards and dice. He also enjoyed a beer with his buddies at the American Legion and Big Swens. He had a love of sharing memories with his granddaughter. He treasured the time he spent with his great granddaughters. He also enjoyed driving the country roads and looking at the fields with his son-in-law, Dave.

Kermit was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Sheriffs Association, and the 40 et 8:737 in Minnesota.

Kermit is survived by his daughter Rosalyn (David) KnutsonKorbel, Red Lake Falls, MN; granddaughter: Nicolette Ann Gervais, Moorhead, MN; 2 grandsons: Kenneth (April) Gervais, Moorhead, MN; Benjamin Gervais, West Fargo, ND; 2 great granddaughters: Zoey and Mia Gervais, Moorhead, MN; 2 sisters: Dolores Longtin, Oklee, MN; Dorothy Farden, Virginia, MN; brothers in law: John (Vivian) Simon, Fargo, ND; Robert (Nadine) Simon, St. Paul, MN; Frank (JoEllen) Simon, Grants Pass, OR; Raymond (Phyllis) Simon, Moorhead, MN; sister in law Inga Knutson, Cannon Falls, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

Kermit was preceded in death by his wife Lois on December 4, 1991, son Kermit Knutson, JR; 3 brothers Harvey, Halvor, Jorgen Knutson, 3 sisters: Inga Hanson, Elvina Smith, Alice Sylvester, sister in law Mary Ralston, and his parents.


ORGANIST: Sherry Knott
SOLOIST: April Gervais
SELECTIONS: On Eagles Wings
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Amazing Grace, What A Friend We Have In Jesus
CASKETBEARERS:
MILITARY HONORS: Red Lake Falls American Legion