Russell G. KNUTZON

KNUTZON, CARSON, ROHLF, MEYER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/22/2014 at 13:59:56

November 4, 1917 --- October 20, 2014

Russell G. Knutzon died Monday October 20th at 4:45 p.m. at the Eldora Nursing and Rehab Center in Eldora, Iowa where he resided for the past year after a long battle with Alzheimer's. He was a man who loved the Lord, cherished his family and friends, was generous and will be remembered for his humor and positive attitude enjoying life to the fullest.

Born November 4, 1917 in Thor, Iowa to George and Carla Knutzon, he married Josephine Carson on March 17, 1946 at the Congregational Church in Eagle Grove. He is survived by his wife, Josephine of 68 years, and daughter Barbara (Jim) Rohlf of Milford, Iowa and son George "Kip" (Marjorie) Knutzon of Eldora, Iowa; grandsons Jason (Rustina) Knutzon of Altoona, Iowa, Dr. Jared Knutzon of Oceanside, CA, Dr. Bradley (Carrie) Meyer of Johnston, IA. and great-grandchildren Landon & Libby Knutzon and Grant & Henry Meyer.

Russ graduated from Eagle Grove High School in the class of 1935 after which he farmed with his father George and brother Irvin before he entered the service in 1942. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps for 3 years & 5 months and was stationed in the Pacific Theater reaching the rank of Master Sgt. working on B17 and B24's in the 403rd Bomb Squadron. He received 6 Bronze Stars for air campaigns in the South and Western Pacific along with the Good Conduct Medal. After returning from WWII in 1945 he returned to farming with his dad until his marriage. Russ earned his A & E Mechanics license and moved to Chillocothe, MO. to work at an airfield. Then returned to Eagle Grove in 1948. Russ worked as a plumber/electrician at Sherrill's Hardware in Thor, Iowa and then at Oldson's Plumbing & Heating in Eagle Grove until 1970 when Russ and Jo purchased Ahren's Paint and Gift Store on Broadway changing the name to Knutzon's. They worked in the business for 40 years retiring in January 2010.

Russ was active in the Eagle Grove community serving on the City Council for 4 terms, member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, the VFW and American Legion. He was a recipient of the the Lamb Award from the Boy Scouts of America, the Jayces' Outstanding Citizen Award, and the Allbaugh Award both of which recognize outstanding service over a lifetime to the community. He was a deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church, a Scoutmaster for Troop 59, and Homecoming Grand Marshall. He also served on the Eagle Grove airport commission. Russ was a prolific artist taking classes at the community college and entering several paintings in the county fair winning several ribbons. He was an avid golfer at the EGCC with 2 hole-in-one's and was a pilot with his private pilot's license flying his Ercoupe around the skies of Eagle Grove.

He is preceded in death by their first child Catherine, his parents, brother Irvin (Elly) and sister Dora.

Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove. The funeral will be Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove. Burial will follow at Norway Lake Cemetery in Thor, Iowa.

Foust Funeral Home - Eagle Grove, Iowa
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