Walter Bernard Knutsen, 84, of Clermont, Iowa passed away peacefully on Friday, February 8, 2019 at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, Iowa. Walter was born on December 18, 1934 to Knut and Amanda (Osterhus) Knutsen in Seattle, Washington. He was baptized on February 15, 1935. Walter’s family moved to a farm south of Ossian at age eleven. He attended Bethel Lutheran Church, went to school in West Union and worked on the family farm.
Walter began dating Marilyn Evanna Guyer in 1956 and spent time together at Art’s Roller Rink and the Fayette County Fair. He enlisted in the United States Army in January of 1957 and served for two years in Germany. Walter was united in marriage with Marilyn Guyer on April 11, 1959 at West Clermont Lutheran Church. They lived in West Union for nine years until moving to the family farm south of Ossian and stayed there for twenty-one years. After leaving the farm, they lived in Postville for eighteen years and most recently in Clermont for the last eleven years.
Throughout the years, Walter was employed by H & H Distribution in West Union, Iowa. He also installed floor coverings for Schutte Furniture and Interiors in Postville, Iowa for over thirty years, retiring on January 26, 2001. Walter was a member of West Clermont Lutheran Church for nearly thirty years, where he enjoyed singing in the choir. He was also a previous member of Zion Lutheran Church in West Union where he taught Sunday School for many years. Walter belonged to the Postville Lions Club and Sheehan Olson American Legion Post 375. His hobbies included playing on the church softball league, bowling leagues in West Union and Postville, golfing in Clermont, playing guitar, singing, playing cards with friends, camping and fishing, especially in Canada where he spent many summers. He thoroughly enjoyed visiting Norway to meet his paternal grandmother and other relatives in 1958 and returned again in 2000 with his wife and three daughters for a family reunion with his many first cousins. Walter loved a treat of candy, Pepsi, popcorn and walleye. He always had candy in his pocket for his grandkids.
Walter is survived by his wife, Marilyn of Clermont, Iowa; sister, Doris (Rodney) Guyer of Clermont, Iowa; four children: Mark (Patricia) Knutsen of Marion, Iowa; Karen (David) Miller of Clermont, Iowa; Kristine (Jason) Lenberg of Altoona, Wisconsin; and Karla (Rich) Ehr of Kirksville, Missouri; fifteen grandchildren: Jennifer (Chad) Otten of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Jillian (Joe) Svendsen of Las Vegas, Nevada; Jessica Knutsen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Kjerstin Miller, Rebecca Miller and William Miller of Clermont, Iowa; Ajay Lenberg, Kimberly Lenberg and Victoria Lenberg of Altoona, Wisconsin; Amanda (Andrew) Perry, James Ehr and Chloe Ehr of Kirksville, Missouri; Krista (Ryan) Coddington of Shoreville, Minnesota; Jeremy (Samantha) Lee of Palm Bay, Florida; and Justin Lee of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; twelve great-grandchildren and one on the way; and many nieces and nephews.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents, Knut and Amanda Knutsen; brother, Stanley “Ken” Knutsen; infant brother, Gary Knutsen; and one infant great-grandson.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, February 11, 2019 at West Clermont Lutheran Church in Clermont, Iowa. There will also be a one hour visitation before services at the church on Tuesday.
Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at West Clermont Lutheran Church, Clermont, Iowa with Rev. Phillip Olson as the officiant.
Burial will follow at God’s Acres Cemetery in Clermont, Iowa.
Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Clermont, Iowa is helping the family with arrangements