Casper N. Knutson

Casper N. Knutson was born Nov. 8, 1917, the son of Keith and Gunda (Johnson) Knutson, in Rockford Township of Renville County, near Norma. He was raised on the family farm and attended school in Rockford Township through the eighth grade. The school was across the road from the family farm and Casper said he could be eating breakfast and hear the bell ring and still make it to school on time. As a young adult, he joined the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) and served on two separate sessions from 1937 to 1940. He sent the money he made home to his parents.

Casper married Orvis C. Evanger, of Marsden, Sask., April 5, 1941, at Evanger Lutheran Church, rural Kenmare. They farmed northeast of Kenmare. He also held the position of assessor for Rockford Township for many years. Orvis passed away Jan. 2, 2000. Casper remained on the farm until 2012, when he moved to an assisted living facility in Minot and later to the Kenmare Community Skilled Nursing Facility.

He was a member of Evanger Lutheran Church, rural Kenmare, where he had served as a Sunday school teacher and was very active in the church.

He was interested in genealogy and his Norwegian heritage and was fortunate to travel to Norway to visit relatives on three different occasions.

Those Most Honored To Share In His Life: sons, Lenis (Gloria) Knutson, of Kent, Wash., Paul Knutson, Kenmare; daughters, Loretta (Don) Melland, Kenmare, Pauline (David) Peterson, Kenmare, Lavonn (Larry) Mickelson, Perth, Pam (Mike) Uran, Minot, Corienne “Connie” (Jeff) Bauer, Carpio, Annette (Mark) Buchholtz, Ravensdale, Wash.; 20 grandchildren, Melissa (Rodney) Godejohn, Monica (Justin) Clark, Matthew (Cami) Melland, Marty (Cara) Melland, Kevin (Michelle) Knutson, Kari (Chris) Wyman, Karla (Calvin) Wood, Michelle (John) Briest, Tim (Jessie) Mickelson, Monte Peterson, Michael (Kelly) Peterson, Becky (Amit) Uran-Markman, Erin (Robert) Heninger, Whitney Uran, James Bauer, Jennifer Bauer, John (Michelle) Bauer, Jaclyn Bauer, Jessica (Jon) Finley, and Nicole (Cameron) Caudle; 27 great-grandchildren, brothers, Clifford (Phyllis) Knutson, Fergus Falls, Minn., Victor (Alma) Knutson, Minot, and Knute Knutson, Kenmare; sisters, Mildred Mugaas, Thief River Falls, Minn., Florence Nesland, Seal Beach, Calif., and Genevieve Gates, Minot; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Casper was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Orvis; sister, Beatrice Brekhus; and brother, Silas Knutson.

Funeral: Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Evanger Lutheran Church, rural Kenmare.

Interment: Evanger Lutheran Cemetery, rural Kenmare.

Visitation: Today, Jan. 6, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Kenmare.

Family prayer service: Today at 5 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Kenmare.

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).