- Date Of Birth: October 18, 1937
- Date Of Death: April 7, 2014
- State: Montana
Donald Albert Knutson, 76, was born in Austin City, Minn., on Oct. 18, 1937.
Donald was baptized in Austin City and confirmed in Lanesboro, Minn. He was raised on a farm. When he was able to get away from the farm chores, he had a trap line and made himself money at a very young age. He enjoyed trapping into his 60s.
At the age of 16, Donald left home and rode a freight train to Montana, where he worked on a ranch. In 1955, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne. Donald once said that the first time he jumped out of the plane he thought he was going to die. He was asked if it got easier the next time. He said no because then he was sure he was going to die.
On Aug. 17, 1959, Donald married Jean Alberta Kamps in Virginia City, Mont. They worked on various ranches in the Dillon, Mont., and Arco, Idaho areas. In 1968, they moved to Anaconda to raise their children. He worked for the Anaconda Company for 19 years. After that he worked for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, caretaking Lost Creek State Park for many years.
Donald enjoyed fishing and camping, making wooden toys for grandkids, trapping and hunting, and gambling.
Donald passed away Monday, April 7 at the Deer Lodge Nursing Home.
Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Knutson; his parents, Albert and Louise Knutson; brother, William Knutson; and his sister, Annalou Ekholm-Davis.
Donald is survived by his children, Ronald (Sandra) Knutson of Newport, Wash., Tamala (Mike) Gates of Victor, Mont., Jonathan (Denise) Knutson of Boulder, Mont., Terri (Mike) VanMeel of Anaconda; 13 grandchildren, Michael, Don, Jennifer, Eric, Ashley, Daniel, Kayla, Michael Joe, Melissa, Alissa, Aaron and Elijah; eight great-grandchildren; and sister, Mary Jane.
