Windh/Freise/Maurstad genealogy - Person Sheet
Windh/Freise/Maurstad genealogy - Person Sheet
NameGeorge Eugene KNUDSEN Jr.
Birth6 Feb 1927, Roberts County, South Dakota
Death30 Mar 2023, Spring Park, Hennepin County, Minnesota
OccupationFarmed on state line north of New Effington, SD
ReligionLutheran
FatherGeorge Emmett KNUDSEN (1898-1974)
MotherGertrude MELLAND (1899-1988)
Misc. Notes
George E. Knudsen, 96, Spring Park, MN, formerly of New Effington, passed away Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Lake Minnetonka Shores in Spring Park.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Lake Minnetonka Shores Chapel, 4515 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park, MN, 55384, on April 29, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. A Funeral Service is planned for Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington with lunch and fellowship to follow. Burial will be in the Garden of Rest Cemetery, New Effington. Military honors will be provided by the Read Veflin American Legion Post 180 of New Effington.
George Eugene Knudsen was born February 6, 1927, to George Sr. and Gertrude (Melland) Knudsen on their farm in Lien Township, Roberts County, South Dakota. He received his elementary education at Lien #1 country school and graduated from New Effington High School in 1945, after which he entered into a farming career on the home farm.
On September 6, 1949, George was united in marriage with Jean Kuklish. He continued farming until he enlisted in the U.S. Army in December 1953. He served in the 1st Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas. After his discharge from military service in December of 1955, he returned to farming until his retirement in 2000.
George was baptized, confirmed, and married in Brandvold Lutheran Church in Victor Township. In 1963 the family transferred to Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington, SD. He was an active member there, serving on the church council, singing in the choir, and helping with cemetery upkeep. George was actively engaged in his local community, serving on the boards of local co-ops, holding positions on the school board, and supporting American Legion Post #180 in New Effington.
George’s greatest joys were his family and the many friends acquired during his lifetime. He was the eldest of 48 cousins encompassing both the Knudsen and Melland families. George and Jean were avid travelers, often visiting family members and meeting people from all over North America. They especially relished their time spent in Hawaii, which helped reduce the length of the northern winters. They made two trips to Norway where they visited ancestral communities and connected with distant family members.
George enjoyed music, dancing, sports, card playing, and bowling. He especially enjoyed time spent with his grandchildren, doing whatever they wished. He never tired of planting seeds and watching them grow into a bountiful harvest.
After the loss of his best friend and wife, Jean, in 2011, George spent summers on the farm and went south for the winters to his Lake Minnetonka Shores apartment in Spring Park, MN. He enjoyed friendships with many residents, participated in a wide range of activities, and was well-known by staff as a cheerful volunteer.
George is survived by two sons: Paul (Barb) of Eatonton, GA, and Dale (Margaret) of Loretto, MN; three grandchildren: Karl (Lauren) of Plymouth, MN, Ben of Brooklyn, NY, and Grace of Washington D.C.; one great-granddaughter, Nora Jean; and one sister, Betty Lou Kuklish of Fargo, ND.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Jean; an infant son, David; his parents, George Sr. and Gertrude; his sister, Helen; and brothers-in-law Harland Jacobson and Lowell Kuklish.
The family prefers memorials be directed to the Presbyterian Homes Foundation – Lake Minnetonka Shores, St. Dysmas of South Dakota – Prison Ministry, or the Faith Cemetery Fund.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Lake Minnetonka Shores Chapel, 4515 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park, MN, 55384, on April 29, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. A Funeral Service is planned for Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington with lunch and fellowship to follow. Burial will be in the Garden of Rest Cemetery, New Effington. Military honors will be provided by the Read Veflin American Legion Post 180 of New Effington.
George Eugene Knudsen was born February 6, 1927, to George Sr. and Gertrude (Melland) Knudsen on their farm in Lien Township, Roberts County, South Dakota. He received his elementary education at Lien #1 country school and graduated from New Effington High School in 1945, after which he entered into a farming career on the home farm.
On September 6, 1949, George was united in marriage with Jean Kuklish. He continued farming until he enlisted in the U.S. Army in December 1953. He served in the 1st Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas. After his discharge from military service in December of 1955, he returned to farming until his retirement in 2000.
George was baptized, confirmed, and married in Brandvold Lutheran Church in Victor Township. In 1963 the family transferred to Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington, SD. He was an active member there, serving on the church council, singing in the choir, and helping with cemetery upkeep. George was actively engaged in his local community, serving on the boards of local co-ops, holding positions on the school board, and supporting American Legion Post #180 in New Effington.
George’s greatest joys were his family and the many friends acquired during his lifetime. He was the eldest of 48 cousins encompassing both the Knudsen and Melland families. George and Jean were avid travelers, often visiting family members and meeting people from all over North America. They especially relished their time spent in Hawaii, which helped reduce the length of the northern winters. They made two trips to Norway where they visited ancestral communities and connected with distant family members.
George enjoyed music, dancing, sports, card playing, and bowling. He especially enjoyed time spent with his grandchildren, doing whatever they wished. He never tired of planting seeds and watching them grow into a bountiful harvest.
After the loss of his best friend and wife, Jean, in 2011, George spent summers on the farm and went south for the winters to his Lake Minnetonka Shores apartment in Spring Park, MN. He enjoyed friendships with many residents, participated in a wide range of activities, and was well-known by staff as a cheerful volunteer.
George is survived by two sons: Paul (Barb) of Eatonton, GA, and Dale (Margaret) of Loretto, MN; three grandchildren: Karl (Lauren) of Plymouth, MN, Ben of Brooklyn, NY, and Grace of Washington D.C.; one great-granddaughter, Nora Jean; and one sister, Betty Lou Kuklish of Fargo, ND.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Jean; an infant son, David; his parents, George Sr. and Gertrude; his sister, Helen; and brothers-in-law Harland Jacobson and Lowell Kuklish.
The family prefers memorials be directed to the Presbyterian Homes Foundation – Lake Minnetonka Shores, St. Dysmas of South Dakota – Prison Ministry, or the Faith Cemetery Fund.
Spouses
Burial15 Jul 2011, Garden of Rest Cemetery, New Effington, SD
Death12 Jul 2011, St. Francis Medical Center, Breckenridge, MN
Birth7 Mar 1928, Lien Township, Roberts County, SD
FatherBenny Benjamin KUKLISH (1901-1981)
MotherIngeborg (Inga) Ovedia HOVEY (1902-1972)
Misc. Notes
From the bulletin at Jean Knudsen’s memorial service at Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington, SD, on July 15, 2011:
Jean Muriel Knudsen was born March 7, 1928, to Bennie and Inga (Hovey) Kuklish at their farm home in Lien Township, Roberts County, South Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed at the Lutheran Free Church in New Effington. She completed her elementary education at Lien #4 Country School and graduated from New Effington High School in 1946. She attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN, for two years and then taught Home Economics at Clayton, WI, for one year.
On September 6, 1949, she married George Knudsen, Jr., at Brandvold Lutheran Church near Victor, SD. This date was the 52nd wedding anniversary of her grandparents, Louis and Catherine (Katie) Kuklish, who attended as special guests. Jean and George spent their life together on the Knudsen farm, except for two years in Texas during which George was in military service. Jean was very active in the community and was a charter member of Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, infant son David Lee, brother Lowel Kuklish, brother-in-law Harland Jacobson, and sister-in-law Helen (Knudsen) Jacobson.
She is survived by her husband and best friend George, their two sons, Paul and his wife Barb of Tulsa, OK, and Dale and his wife Margaret, and grandchildren Karl, Ben, and Grace of Loretto, MN, four nieces, one nephew, many cousins, and friends near and far.
Jean will be remembered forever as constant companion to George, as a loving mother and grandmother, for her concern and connections to family, friends, and community, for her hand-made gifts and baked goodies, for her love of travel and new adventures (always on-the-go), and for only seeing the good and the positive aspects in all people and all situations.
Jean Muriel Knudsen was born March 7, 1928, to Bennie and Inga (Hovey) Kuklish at their farm home in Lien Township, Roberts County, South Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed at the Lutheran Free Church in New Effington. She completed her elementary education at Lien #4 Country School and graduated from New Effington High School in 1946. She attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN, for two years and then taught Home Economics at Clayton, WI, for one year.
On September 6, 1949, she married George Knudsen, Jr., at Brandvold Lutheran Church near Victor, SD. This date was the 52nd wedding anniversary of her grandparents, Louis and Catherine (Katie) Kuklish, who attended as special guests. Jean and George spent their life together on the Knudsen farm, except for two years in Texas during which George was in military service. Jean was very active in the community and was a charter member of Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, infant son David Lee, brother Lowel Kuklish, brother-in-law Harland Jacobson, and sister-in-law Helen (Knudsen) Jacobson.
She is survived by her husband and best friend George, their two sons, Paul and his wife Barb of Tulsa, OK, and Dale and his wife Margaret, and grandchildren Karl, Ben, and Grace of Loretto, MN, four nieces, one nephew, many cousins, and friends near and far.
Jean will be remembered forever as constant companion to George, as a loving mother and grandmother, for her concern and connections to family, friends, and community, for her hand-made gifts and baked goodies, for her love of travel and new adventures (always on-the-go), and for only seeing the good and the positive aspects in all people and all situations.
Marriage6 Sep 1949