JERICO — H. Duane Knutson, 77, Jerico, died Tuesday, March 13, 2001 at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton after suffering an apparent heart attack.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 17 at Jerico Lutheran Church, rural New Hampton, with Rev. Kent Dethlefsen officiating. Mary Beth Dethlefsen will be organist and accompany those in attendance singing i Know That My Redeemer Lives" and "What A Friend We Have In Jesus".

Burial will be in the church cemetery with military honors conducted by the Paul j Johann VFW Post 4069 of Alta Vista. Dennis Knutson, Eric Knutson, Scott Engebretson, Jamie Knutson, Tim Knutson and Jeff Yezek will be casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers will be Alger Amble, Kenneth Fossen, Pete Hereid, Merle Hereid, Harvey Knutson and Lawrence Ondrashek.

Friends may call from 3-7 p.m. Friday, March 16 at Conway Funeral Home in New Hampton and an hour prior to services at the church.

Herschel Duane Knutson was born Aug. 18, 1923 at New Hampton, the son of Jeff A. and Hattie (Attleson) Knutson. He was baptized in 1923 and confirmed in 1937 at the Jerico Lutheran Church. He attended a rural school near his home and graduated from New Hampton High School in 1941. After high school, Duane taught at a rural school for one year. He then began farming with his family.

Duane was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1948 and served one year of active dutv. He received his basic training at Ft. Riley, KS and then attended administrative school and graduated from Camp Lee, VA. He was stationed at Armico Chemical Center in Baltimore, MD and then served with the Army Reserve Infantry Company in Charles City for four years. Duane farmed until he got tired" on the Jerico farm. He served as church custodian for about 25 years and was also the Mayor of Jerico for many consecutive terms. He was a member of the Jerico Lutheran Church.

Surviving are four nephews, Gary (Rosemary) Knutson, Decorah, Larry (Sara) Knutson, Cedar Rapids, William (Bonnie) Knutson, Kalona, Knute Knutson, Jerico; one niece. Mary Lee Thomas, Manly.

Preceding him. in death were his parents; one sister, Corrine Roninson; two brothers, Albert Knutson and J. Donald Knutson; one niece, Carol Rae Engebretson.

Source: New Hampton Tribune; Mar. 16, 2001 Page 4
from Elma library collection assembled by Marian (Marr) McGee
Transcribed by ABBYY FineReader® 12, Adapted to the Web by Bill Waters