Lewis J. Knudson, age 81 of Grafton, ND, passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at the Lutheran Sunset Home of Grafton.
Lewis John Knudson was born a twin (Lois Schlenk) on June 5th, 1943 at the Deaconess Hospital in Grafton, North Dakota to Louise Emma (Feldman) and Herman Knudson. Lewis was the second of eight siblings, always reminding Lois that he was 2 minutes older. He received education in Kennedy and Middle River, Minnesota, finishing in Grafton, ND, graduating the eighth grade. Lewis enlisted in the United States Navy in May of 1961 and proudly served on the USS Lindenwald, LSD6 out of Little Creek, Virginia. His time in the Navy gave him the opportunity to see the world, as he would fondly recall his memories of Iceland. His brothers Herman and Dick also served in the Navy, a bond they were very proud of.
In 1968 he met Claudia Walz and fell in love with her and her one year old daughter, Kimberly. On October 19, 1968, they were wed and moved to Huntington Park, California. It was there that they welcomed a daughter, Kerry, and stayed in California for five years. As the family grew, it was decided to move back to North Dakota, staying on the Walz family farm near Bosemont. Here they welcomed Jayson, and after moving to Grafton, Jeremy. He later went on to marry Sharon Munoz and resided in Grafton.
Lewis was a skilled carpenter and found employment with Morton Buildings, managing a crew for many years. He later went on to work at Marvin Windows in 1997 when the company built in Grafton, retiring from there in 2008. He was well known in the community for his generous nature, offering to help others whenever he could.
Lewis was a kind, generous spirit, always more concerned with the needs of others before his own. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially enjoying cookouts with his twin sister, Lois. He was an avid fisherman, travelling to Devils Lake often. It was rumored that he was seen at the casino. In his later years, he enjoyed cooking and could be found at the Ribfest, participating in the worlds’ largest chili cookout in Minto, and also enjoyed cooking for various businesses and friends.
Lewis is preceded in death by his parents Herman and Louise Knudson, his spouses Claudia Knudson, Sharon Knudson, his brothers Richard Knudson, Herman Jr. (Maryann) Knudson, and sister Ann Bessette.
He is survived by his children: Kimberly (Eric) Byre, Stephen, MN, Kerry (Christian Saunders) Matsasuka, Wahiawa, HI, Jayson (Stacy) Knudson, Fargo, ND, and Jeremy (Yieng Seng) Knudson, Grafton, ND. His grandchildren Patrick Hartje, Larimore, ND, Kristine Ramsrud, Grand Forks, ND, Kelsey (Nick Mathern) Byre, Grafton, ND, Kennard Byre, Grafton, ND, Ainsley Saunders, Wahiawa, HI, Gavin Saunders, Wahiawa, HI, Kendal Knudson, Fargo, ND, Jordyn Knudson, Fargo, ND, James Knudson, Drayton, ND, Natasha Knudson, Drayton, ND, Jonathan Knudson, Drayton, ND, and Alyssa Knudson, Grafton, ND. His great grandchildren: Lakota Hartje and son Thomas, Moorhead, MN, Aubrielle Thomas, Grand Forks, ND, Winona Mathern, Grafton, ND. His siblings: twin sister Lois Schlenk, Grafton, ND, Duane Knudson, NE, Art (Judy) Knudson, Denver, CO, Louise (John) Gaustad, Mesa, AZ. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 3:00 PM at the Grafton Assembly of God Church. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 with a time of sharing at 7:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton. Friends may also call at the church for one hour prior to the service. Military rites will be provided by the Grafton American Legion Post #41 and the US Naval Honor Guard. Interment will be at the Grafton City Cemetery.
Lewis John Knudson was born a twin (Lois Schlenk) on June 5th, 1943 at the Deaconess Hospital in Grafton, North Dakota to Louise Emma (Feldman) and Herman Knudson. Lewis was the second of eight siblings, always reminding Lois that he was 2 minutes older. He received education in Kennedy and Middle River, Minnesota, finishing in Grafton, ND, graduating the eighth grade. Lewis enlisted in the United States Navy in May of 1961 and proudly served on the USS Lindenwald, LSD6 out of Little Creek, Virginia. His time in the Navy gave him the opportunity to see the world, as he would fondly recall his memories of Iceland. His brothers Herman and Dick also served in the Navy, a bond they were very proud of.
In 1968 he met Claudia Walz and fell in love with her and her one year old daughter, Kimberly. On October 19, 1968, they were wed and moved to Huntington Park, California. It was there that they welcomed a daughter, Kerry, and stayed in California for five years. As the family grew, it was decided to move back to North Dakota, staying on the Walz family farm near Bosemont. Here they welcomed Jayson, and after moving to Grafton, Jeremy. He later went on to marry Sharon Munoz and resided in Grafton.
Lewis was a skilled carpenter and found employment with Morton Buildings, managing a crew for many years. He later went on to work at Marvin Windows in 1997 when the company built in Grafton, retiring from there in 2008. He was well known in the community for his generous nature, offering to help others whenever he could.
Lewis was a kind, generous spirit, always more concerned with the needs of others before his own. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially enjoying cookouts with his twin sister, Lois. He was an avid fisherman, travelling to Devils Lake often. It was rumored that he was seen at the casino. In his later years, he enjoyed cooking and could be found at the Ribfest, participating in the worlds’ largest chili cookout in Minto, and also enjoyed cooking for various businesses and friends.
Lewis is preceded in death by his parents Herman and Louise Knudson, his spouses Claudia Knudson, Sharon Knudson, his brothers Richard Knudson, Herman Jr. (Maryann) Knudson, and sister Ann Bessette.
He is survived by his children: Kimberly (Eric) Byre, Stephen, MN, Kerry (Christian Saunders) Matsasuka, Wahiawa, HI, Jayson (Stacy) Knudson, Fargo, ND, and Jeremy (Yieng Seng) Knudson, Grafton, ND. His grandchildren Patrick Hartje, Larimore, ND, Kristine Ramsrud, Grand Forks, ND, Kelsey (Nick Mathern) Byre, Grafton, ND, Kennard Byre, Grafton, ND, Ainsley Saunders, Wahiawa, HI, Gavin Saunders, Wahiawa, HI, Kendal Knudson, Fargo, ND, Jordyn Knudson, Fargo, ND, James Knudson, Drayton, ND, Natasha Knudson, Drayton, ND, Jonathan Knudson, Drayton, ND, and Alyssa Knudson, Grafton, ND. His great grandchildren: Lakota Hartje and son Thomas, Moorhead, MN, Aubrielle Thomas, Grand Forks, ND, Winona Mathern, Grafton, ND. His siblings: twin sister Lois Schlenk, Grafton, ND, Duane Knudson, NE, Art (Judy) Knudson, Denver, CO, Louise (John) Gaustad, Mesa, AZ. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 3:00 PM at the Grafton Assembly of God Church. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 with a time of sharing at 7:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton. Friends may also call at the church for one hour prior to the service. Military rites will be provided by the Grafton American Legion Post #41 and the US Naval Honor Guard. Interment will be at the Grafton City Cemetery.