Lauren Ervin Knutzen

KNUTZEN

Posted By: Marthann (email)
Date: 9/26/2007 at 14:05:28

Knutzen, Lauren Ervin
Denison Bulletin/Review
9/13/2007

Lauren Ervin Knutzen was born October 9, 1930 the son of Erwin (Dick) and Helen (Gosch) Knutzen. He died September 7, 2007 at his home in Ute, Iowa at the age of seventy-six and eleven months.

Lauren was born on a farm six miles south of Ute, Iowa. He was baptized in Christ, November 9, 1930 and confirmed in April 1944 both at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ute, Iowa. He received his education at Soldier Township #6 Country School which he attended for 8 years. He continued his education at St. Paul Lutheran School for one year and then graduated from Ute High School in 1949. Lauren excelled in basketball and baseball during his high school years.

Lauren attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa for one year majoring in education and coaching. While at Buena Vista College, Lauren was a member of the baseball team.

On July 23, 1950, Lauren was united in marriage to Lillian Bruhn at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fairmont, Minnesota. He played semi-pro baseball for about 7 years in Minnesota where he was a pitcher and towards the end of his career after an injury to his arm played first base. While there he also worked for the Land O Lakes Company. During the time they lived in Minnesota, Lauren and Lillian were blessed with eight children. In 1963 they moved to Iowa where Lauren worked various jobs over the years. Lauren was very active in little league programs coaching for many years. Lauren and Lillian owned and operated the Oaks Cafe and Lounge in Charter Oak from 1986 to 1989. After retiring in 1999 they moved to Ute. Lauren was very passionate about sports especially baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Lauren was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Lillian. Survivors include two sisters, Elaine Carritt of Denison and Lois Knutzen of Omaha, Nebraska; children, Susan Knoblauch and Michael Guanella of Grey Cloud Island Township, Minnesota; Rebecca Struck and husband Robert of Kennewick, Washington; Steven Knutzen and wife Susan of Adel; Craig Knutzen and wife Patricia of Stilwell, Kansas; JoEllen Willis and husband Kevin of West Richland, Washington; Debra Nutt of Ute, Iowa; David Knutzen and wife Juliann of West Des Moines, Iowa; Lisa Wiese and husband Kyle of Ackworth, Iowa; twenty grandchildren: Brad and Suzanne Knoblauch, Adam Knoblauch, Regina and Ben Kehl, Ryan and Jaimi Lane, Clarissa and Kevin Lehman, Bridget and Mike Plathe, Jeremiah Knutzen, Micah Knutzen, Melissa and Tim Johnson, Justin Knutzen, Alyssa Ward, Benjamin Ward, Zachary Willis, Amanda Nutt and Jordon Follmann, Teddy Nutt, Colton Knutzen, Skyler Knutzen, Grant Knutzen, Jacob Wiese and Abby Wiese; nine great-grandchildren: Eric Knoblauch, Logan Knoblauch, Kaden Knoblauch, Hannah Kehl, Grace Kehl, Ryan Emily Kehl, Weston Plathe, Avalon Knoblauch and Hayley Follmann; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services were held 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ute, Iowa. Rev. Ed Brandt officiated the services and grave side rites held at St. Clair Cemetery in Ute, Iowa. Organist Creta Teut provided accompaniment for the congregational hymns "Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus," "Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound," "How Great Thou Art," and "Abide With Me." Cross Bearers were Colton Knutzen, and Skyler Knutzen. Those serving as Honorary Pallbearers were his grandsons, Ben Ward, Grant Knutzen, and Zac Willis. Those serving as Pallbearers were his grandsons Jeremiah Knutzen, Micah Knutzen, Justin Knutzen, Teddy Nutt, Adam Knoblauch, Brad Knoblauch, Jacob Wiese, and Ryan Lane. A Prayer Service was held 7 p.m., Monday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ute. The family invited everyone in attendance to join them for fellowship and lunch served by the LWML Ladies. The Huebner Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of the arrangements.

Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
706-5th St.
Defiance, IA 51527
marthannk@fmctc.com