Dec. 24, 1924 - Nov. 1, 2009

Harry C. Knutson, 84, died peacefully Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, at the home of his daughter in Centralia, Wash.

A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Friday at the River of Life Lutheran Church in Chugiak, with Pastor Carol George officiating. His final resting place will be in Pine River, Minn.

The son of Christ Knutson and Elsie Hanson, he was born Dec. 24, 1924, at Pequot Lakes, Minn.

He was raised in the Pequot Lakes-Pine River, Minn., area. After serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps' 35th Fighter Squadron, he married Phyllis J. Gearey on April 9, 1949. They had three children: Gerald, Jeanette and Mark.

Their early married life was spent on their farm in Pillager, Minn. In 1960, they moved to Alaska. Harry worked for Alaska Towing & Wrecking, Crescent Dairy in Soldotna, Knudson Fast Freight delivering products to lodges along the Glenn Highway, and Automatic Welding in Anchorage until his retirement.

Throughout his life, he was actively involved in building mission churches. He was a charter member of St. Mark, Joy, and River of Life Lutheran churches and most recently a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wasilla.

He loved his family, his sisters, fishing, gardening, and working with wood.

His family wrote, "He was a humble and quiet man who accepted everyone. His love, humor, wisdom, and faithful example touched many lives."

He is survived by his three children: Gerry (Cindy) Knutson of Wasilla, Jeanette (Marc) Spiegelberg of Centralia, Wash., and Mark (Laura) Knutson of Puyallup, Wash.; 12 grandchildren: Troy and Michael Knutson, Jason, Arla, Avarie, Jarin and Jardan Ruiz, Peter, Keith and John Spiegelberg, and Joel and Timothy Knutson; seven great-grandchildren: Payton, Sierra, Lane, Alex, Abbygayle, Isabel and Anna; and sisters: Nora Hoefs, Stella Davis, Gladys Rudningen and Mabel Poul.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis J. Knutson; and his brother, Edwin Knutson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ELCA-TEAM Mission Builders Fund, 1847 W. Northern Lights Blvd., No. 2, Anchorage AK 99517, or to other charities close to your heart.