Darrell W. Knudson, 95, Dickinson, died Monday, July 2, 2012 at the Richardton Health Center, Richardton. Darrell’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Friday, July 6, 2012 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Richardton, with Fr. Boniface Muggli, OSB as the celebrant and Abbot Brian Wangler, OSB as the con-celebrant. Interment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Military honors will be provided by the Richardton American Legion, Theo R. Zech Post 180 following the Mass. Visitation will be on Thursday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the church, with a rosary and time of sharing at 8 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Darrell Winston Knudson came into this world on December 9, 1916 and departed on July 2, 2012. He released the first sounds to this world in Kennedy, Minnesota in the hands of his maternal grandmother, Anna Enquist who was a practical nurse and midwife. The proud parents were Martin O. and Gertrude Olivia (Enquist) Knudson.

Darrell Knudson was a second generation American. The Knudson’s and Enquist’s had come to the United States from Norway and Sweden in the 1880’s. Darrell was raised in small communities along the Soo Line Railroad where Martin was a depot agent. He lived in Voltaire, Carrington and Logan and graduated from Velva High School in 1934.

Martin and Gertrude had four children—LaVon, Darrell, Marjorie and Winslow. Darrell is the only one who stayed in North Dakota. There were not many opportunities in the state in the 30’s but one was college. Darrell went to North Dakota Agricultural College (NDSU) and obtained a degree in Agricultural Economics in 1939. His first jobs out of college were working summer harvests and as a section hand on the railroad. He landed a job with the National Farm Loan Association (Farm Credit Services) in Dickinson in the fall of 1939. There he met Lorine Finneman. On December 7, 1941 which was a beautiful winter day they were out shooting gophers with a 22 caliber rifle. That day changed his life along with most of the people in America. In January of 1942, he joined the Army and after initial training was sent to Officer’s Training and obtained his bars as a Second Lieutenant. He spent more than two years commanding a field artillery battalion on Adak Island in the Aleutians.

Darrell married Lorine (a riveter) during the war. They were married at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Portland Oregon on March 27, 1943. They spent 55 years together. Lorine died shortly after their 55th anniversary on April 20, 1998. They had five children as a result of this union and after the military spent the rest of their life together in Fergus Falls, Minnesota and Richardton. In 1947, Darrell again went to work for The National Farm Loan Association in Minnesota. While there he commanded an Army Reserve Unit. He was promoted to Major and was Battalion Plans and Training Officer. He worked part time as well selling real estate (farm land) and as an insurance adjuster.

In 1955, Dad accepted the job which brought him and Lorine and four of his five children to Richardton. He managed Farmers State Bank until 1973. He and Lorine were wonderful partners. Together they settled into the community, built a home, raised a family and tried to leave the place better than they found it. They leaned on each other a lot and could not have done it without one another. Their fifth child, Martin Darrell was born in Richardton.

\While in Richardton he helped build a swimming pool and a new public school. He was school board president for twelve years and city auditor for 10 years. He was a fireman and a Lion. He was a 1st Grand Knight with the K of C. He was a member of the Assumption College Board and on the Hospital Board. He was one of the founders of the Richardton Machine and Manufacturing Company.

After leaving the bank he became a real estate appraiser, a trade he had learned as a field man during his time with the Farm Loan Association. He trained all three of his sons to be appraisers and worked in this profession for more than thirty years.

He and Lorine were expert flea marketers and became experts in dishes and tobacco tins. He loved flowers and was always climbing around on his knees tending to plants. He was active in the Stark County Historical Society and loved attending classes through the Elderhostel program. He had a passion for books which he passed on to all of his children. His favorite phrase and one that was oft repeated was “turn off the television and get a book”.
He was a man of strong faith and had a strong attachment to St. Mary’s Church. He was involved as a member of the restoration committee. He described “this church business” as the most important task of our lives—this “care of our souls”.

He is survived by his children, Jan (Phil) Brown, Kathy Knudson, Bill Knudson, Bruce (Deb) Knudson and Marty (Carrie) Knudson. He had fourteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. His only remaining in-law is his sister-in-law Christine Finneman. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces (thirty-seven) as well as friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sisters and their spouses: LaVon (SJ) Knudsen, Marjorie (Walter) Knosp who also was previously married to ­­­Cec Campbell , and Winslow (Lorine) Knudson. He was also preceded by his wife Lorine and her family: Roman (Elizabeth) Finneman, Norbert (Irene) Finneman, Eleanor (Bob) Clarin and Ralph Finneman.

D.W. or Knute loved the short grass prairie of North Dakota and its people as well as the community of Richardton. He believed in helping others, in planting trees so that others would enjoy the shade sometime in the future. He lived for his family and cared deeply about God and country. He was an extraordinary father, friend, uncle, grandpa and brother. Lorine’s family was his second family and Golva was his second home.

We are extremely grateful to the care providers at Richardton Health Center who went the extra mile over the last two years in making dad comfortable. In lieu of flowers we suggest memorials to Richardton Health Center and St. Mary’s Church.