Wesley Curtis Knutson, age 76, of Crookston, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2025. He was born to loving parents Orville and Evelyn (Heideman) Knutson on May 1, 1948, in Fosston, Minnesota.
He was raised in McIntosh, Minnesota, graduating from McIntosh High School in 1966. He then went on to attend Northland Junior College in Thief River Falls, and then Moorhead State College in 1968. He graduated in 1970 with his bachelor’s degree in history and social studies and went back to get his degree in elementary education in 1971.
Wes met the love of his life, Linda Diane Frethem, in 1970 at the Winger town hall dance. Four years later Wesley and Linda were married on June 14, 1974, at Hope Lutheran Church. They were blessed with three children, Derek, Sarah, and Aaron, who Wes loved and cherished very much.
Wesley moved to Crookston in 1971 and began his teaching career. Education was a passion of Wesley’s, being a teacher for 35 years, he was awarded Teacher of the Year in 2005. He was also involved in the Minnesota State High School League, Minnesota Softball Association, and the Minnesota Education Association.
His faith in God was very important to him. Wesley was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in McIntosh, and later Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston.
Wes was a man with many interests. He loved traveling with his wife, Linda, fishing, golfing, reading historical novels and biographies, and was very involved with sports and athletics. Playing slow pitch softball for 44 years, he was also an umpire in baseball for 12 years, volleyball for 34 years, football for 48 years, and softball and basketball for 52 years. He was a beloved coach for the high school volleyball team for 8 years, and coached track for 34 years. He was awarded for his hard work and passion and was inducted into the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2017, the Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame in 2023, and was awarded the Minnesota State High School League Distinguished Service Award in 2023. He will be fondly remembered by his kind, professional, helpful spirit.
Wesley is lovingly survived by his wife, Linda (Frethem) Knutson; children, Derek (Emily) Knutson of Chattanooga, TN, Sarah (Bret) Danielson of Sioux Falls, SD, and Aaron (Anna Petry) Knutson of West Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Drew Knutson, Cora Knutson, James Knutson, Thomas Knutson, Caleb Danielson, Carly Danielson, Caley Danielson; sister, Mary (Dan) Solie of Minneapolis, MN; stepbrothers, John Wertish and Jim Wertish; stepsister Judy Bemis; and brother-in-law, Kenny Amundson, of McIntosh, MN. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, Orville Knutson and Evelyn (Knutson) Wertish, stepdad, Jerry Wertish, and siblings, Diane Amundson and Orville Knutson.
A prayer service will be held on Thursday, April 24, at 8:00 p.m., with a visitation starting at 6:00 p.m. A funeral service to celebrate Wesley’s life will be held on Friday, April 25, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston, Minnesota, with visitation one-hour prior. There will be a luncheon at Trinity Lutheran Church following a private family interment service at Oakdale Cemetery after the funeral service.
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