1922
Rev.
2016
Rev. Alton Knutson
June 25, 1922 — September 13, 2016
Alton Knutson, age 94, passed away peacefully on 9-13-2016 with Toodie, his loving wife of 73 years, by his side. Born in Fosston, he was a "Minnesota farm boy, called by God." It was a joint calling to missions that brought them together. Alton and Toodie (Margretta Ramaley) were married on September 17, 1943 and worked side by side to spread the Gospel.
Alton served 33 years as a Pastor for the Lutheran Church in Japan, then volunteered as a pastor in Kenya and in Mexico for over 20 years. He served in the US Army from 1943-1945 and later as Chaplain for the China-Burma-India Veterans and the MARS Task Force, Mountain Artillery Associations. Forest Lake has always been their home; on three occasions he also served as Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church. They loved their cabin on Clear Lake, where they had honeymooned and later retired. Alton was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Alma Knutson; sister, Grace; brothers, Lester and Carlton. Survivors include his beloved wife and partner, Toodie; children, Judith (Jerry) Klemm, Stephen, Ann (Nelson) Laughton, Sue (Orville) Williamschen; grandchildren, Villery, Troy, Amy, Erin, Matt, Kirsten, Annika; great grandchildren, Malachi, Nehum, Ashlynn, Ella, Karter, Kayla, Briyana, Kaylee, William, Adelyn, Lars; siblings, Bud (Glenice) Knutson, Arlene Grage; and many friends throughout the world. A Celebration of Alton's Life will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, October 9th at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Internment at Faith Lutheran Memorial Prayer Garden. A luncheon will follow. Alton wished for this to be a celebration, please wear bright colors in his honor. In lieu of flowers, Alton prefers memorials to Partners in Mission through Faith Lutheran Church.
Funeral Home: Mattson Funeral Home 343 North Shore Drive Forest Lake, MN US 55025
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Service
Sunday, October 9, 2016
cemetery
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Alton served 33 years as a Pastor for the Lutheran Church in Japan, then volunteered as a pastor in Kenya and in Mexico for over 20 years. He served in the US Army from 1943-1945 and later as Chaplain for the China-Burma-India Veterans and the MARS Task Force, Mountain Artillery Associations. Forest Lake has always been their home; on three occasions he also served as Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church. They loved their cabin on Clear Lake, where they had honeymooned and later retired. Alton was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Alma Knutson; sister, Grace; brothers, Lester and Carlton. Survivors include his beloved wife and partner, Toodie; children, Judith (Jerry) Klemm, Stephen, Ann (Nelson) Laughton, Sue (Orville) Williamschen; grandchildren, Villery, Troy, Amy, Erin, Matt, Kirsten, Annika; great grandchildren, Malachi, Nehum, Ashlynn, Ella, Karter, Kayla, Briyana, Kaylee, William, Adelyn, Lars; siblings, Bud (Glenice) Knutson, Arlene Grage; and many friends throughout the world. A Celebration of Alton's Life will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, October 9th at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Internment at Faith Lutheran Memorial Prayer Garden. A luncheon will follow. Alton wished for this to be a celebration, please wear bright colors in his honor. In lieu of flowers, Alton prefers memorials to Partners in Mission through Faith Lutheran Church.
Funeral Home: Mattson Funeral Home 343 North Shore Drive Forest Lake, MN US 55025
Previous Events
VisitationSunday, October 9, 2016
1:00 PM
- 2:00 PM
Faith Lutheran Church
886 North Shore Drive
Forest Lake, MN 55025
Sunday, October 9, 2016
2:00 PM
Faith Lutheran Church
886 North Shore Drive
Forest Lake, MN 55025
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Faith Lutheran Church Columbarium
886 North Shore Drive
Forest Lake, MN
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