Obituary
Richard (Dick) J. Knutson
Richard (Dick) J. Knutson, 81, of Onalaska died Saturday, June 08, 2024 at Caretta Senior Living in Holmen, WI, after a lengthy battle with Corticobasal Degeneration. He was born on August 19, 1942, at St. Ann’s Hospital in La Crosse, to Joseph and Norma (Thielker) Knutson. He married Judith Lennon on August 02, 1969, in Cresco, Iowa
He was a graduate of Holmen High School and purchased the family dairy farm in 1980. He was highly involved in the farming community by being a member of various organizations and past president of the West Salem Cooperative. While he enjoyed raising dairy cattle, his true passion was operating machinery and tending crops. One of his favorite places was on the tractor in the field. His main interests included professional sports and his favorite was NASCAR Racing, as he attended the Daytona 500 regularly for years. He also enjoyed spending time with his family. He was still active on the farm and with family functions up until five years ago when physical mobility became more difficult.
Survivors include: his wife, Judith, his Children, Kyle (Jing) Knutson of Maple Grove, MN, Kari (Ben LeRoy) Knutson of Madison, WI and Dr. Ryan Knutson of La Crosse, WI. Survivors also include two brothers, Dennis (Janet) Knutson of McFarland, WI and Bill (Karen) Knutson of Holmen, WI, grandchildren Olivia (Cole) Bobeldyk of Champlin, MN, Claudia Knutson, and Eli Knutson both of Andover, MN, a great-granddaughter, Violet of Champlin, MN, and many nephews and nieces and other family.
The family would like to thank those who called, visited, sent cards, brought food or gave support to Dick and the family in any way.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Midwest Mission Bible Training Center in Cresco, Iowa (who offers a Christian recovery program for those with alcohol and drug problems), or a charity of your choice.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Norma Knutson, and his sister-in-law Carol Ness.
Visitation and the memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason Street Onalaska, WI. Visitation is from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and the memorial service is at 11:00 a.m.
A special thank you to Pastor Andrew Fortuine who officiated the service, Kristi Josephson and Abigail Knerzer who provided the music.
Honorary Pallbearers are: Kevin Knutson, Jordan Knutson, Chad Knutson, Drew Knutson, Chris Ness and Paul Ness.
My condolences to all. One of my earliest memories of Dick was playing with him and Ron Haug at Ron Haug’s Grandpa and Grandma Lund’s place just across the road and Halfway Creek! Through the years, an occasional chance meeting and connection through common friends. I’ve been told that the last few years have been difficult, so hold on to all the precious memories.
RIP
My heart goes out to you Judith and family, a classmate at Holmen high school. many classes together and sports, Dick was good at all. we enjoyed all the class reunions, a super framer all his life, he loved his animals and the land the crops he grew. I am sorry I will not be at the service, as I will be out of state.
My condolences to you all. Dad’s are the anchor of the family. Such a painful loss. I’m sending prayers for your hearts to mend.
So sorry for your loss. Kari’s creative writing helped me through the death of my husband Ryan. So thankful for her talent and sorry you will need it all again.
My thoughts and prayers are with Judy right now. My favorite (and most prominent) memory of Dick is when we’d visit the farm in the summertime, and he’d take us out on his four-wheelers. My mom and Judy always told him not to go too fast, but once we were out of sight of the house, he’d say something like, “Do you want to see how fast this can go?” and of course, my answer was always yes. I’m sure we didn’t fool anyone when we showed back up to the house with wild hair and grinning ear to ear. My condolences to the rest of the Knutson family.