Obituary of Leonard Knutson

Leonard George Knutson returned to his Lord on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at his home in Washougal. Born on August 18, 1929 in Brisbane, North Dakota to John Byron and Lillie Dearholt Knutson; Leonard was 80 years old. He was the eighth of eight children and is survived by his sister Vivian Klodt of Staples, Minnesota. Leonard graduated from high school at Trout Lake, Washington. He worked on dairies in the Washougal area with his brother for a few years and then went to work for Crown Zellerbach Paper Mill in Camas for 37 years from 1949 until his retirement in 1986. During this time he also served in the United States Army during the Korean War, married his first wife Alice Williams in September of 1952, and built two houses. In 1960 he bought a farm, built his third house, and raised Christmas trees and cattle until 2009. He was a hard working man who loved his family, fishing, baking Spring Chinook Salmon beside an outdoor fire for his family and friends. Leonard is survived by his beloved wife Elaine whom he married in December of 1986; children Janine (John) Hobson of Washougal; Steven Lyle Knutson of Washougal; Duane (Jeanne) Knutson of Shelton, WA; Laura Thompson of Enterprise, OR; Leslie (Rob) Van Allen; and Lana (Larry) Holroyd; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife Alice in April of 1984; and six siblings. There will be a celebration of Leonard's life on Wednesday, August 25th at 5:00 pm at Zion Lutheran Church in Camas. Private vault interment with Military Honors will be held at the Washougal Memorial Cemetery. Donations in Leonard's honor may be sent to the Zion Lutheran Church Memorial Fund. Brown's Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Camas has been entrusted with arrangements.