Gerald Thomas Knutson

November 26, 1937 - May 5, 2018

Gerald Thomas Knutson, 80, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Saturday, May 5, 2018 at his home under the care of LB Hospice. Jerry was born on November 26, 1937 on the family farm northeast of Rothsay, the son of Clarence and Mabel M. J. (Thom) Knutson. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls as well as attended school in Fergus Falls and graduated in 1956 from Fergus Falls High School. After high school he served in the Army National Guard from 1957-1959. On May 22, 1958, Jerry was united in marriage to Charlotte Wickham at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Together they made their home in Fergus Falls and raised three children. Through the years, Jerry worked with his dad at Knutson Electric, then Red River Hardware in Moorhead, South Mill Service in Fergus Falls and eventually opened his own business, Jerry’s Electric, which changed back to Knutson Electric Rebuilding. He was a lifelong member of the Fergus Falls Rifle and Pistol Club, serving for 35 years as an officer. He was also a Firearm Safety Instructor in Fergus Falls and Elizabeth for over 30 years, assisted running the Jr. Rifle program in Fergus Falls and was part of the group that built the current building at Old Smokey. Jerry enjoyed all shooting sports, hunting, especially prairie dogs, shooting 4 position rifle, pistol competitions and camping with family and friends. Preceding him in death was his wife, Charlotte (Toots), who died in February of 2017; his father, Clarence and brother, Donald. Jerry is survived by his children, David (Dori) Knutson, Sandra (Timothy) King and Kevin (Laurie) Knutson, all of Fergus Falls; eight grandchildren, Joshua (Brittany) Knutson, Luke (Karen) Knutson, Kelsey (Dave) Schulz, Kassandra (Kyle) Upright, Kendra (Nathan) Karst, Justin (Debbie) Knutson, Lainne (Aaron) Trusty Miller, and Brianna Knutson; great-grandchildren, Levi, Carter, Hudson, Henry and Kaija Knutson, Mason and Porter Schulz, Kamden Upright, and Kaydence and Ean Knutson as well as one due in November; his mother, Mabel Knutson of Fergus Falls; sister, Christine (Jerry) Peterson of Fergus Falls; sisters-in-law, Marion Knutson of Detroit Lakes, Judy Karlstad of Mandan, ND, Kay Wickham of Aurora, Sonia Brown of Dalton; and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Jr. Rifle Club or Fergus Falls High School Clay Busters. Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Service: 4 p.m. Friday, May 11, 2018, at Olson Funeral Home chapel in Fergus Falls, MN Clergy: Pastor Bob Schultz Interment: Swan Lake Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fergus Falls, MN