Alfred Kenneth Knutson

Alfred (Al) Kenneth Knutson, age 95 of Grant, passed away at his home, Saturday, 31 August 2013. He was born 26 October 1917, to Albert O. and Karen Rein Knutson in Ellingson, South Dakota. He received his education in Swanson country school near Ellingson and graduated from High School in Bucyrus, North Dakota. After graduation he came west because of the “Dust Bowl” days in the Dakota’s and landed in Teton Valley where he worked. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps 15 November 1941. He served as an airplane mechanic during WWII in the European African Invasion, then in the Asiatic Pacific area. He married his sweetheart Phyllis Ripplinger on 16 February 1945 in the Salt Lake Temple. He furthered his education by going to Ricks College graduating in 1953 with a BA degree in Agriculture and Bacteriology then attending the University of Idaho in Moscow to receive his Masters Degree. He was an active member of the LDS Church serving in three different Bishoprics and various other leadership positions. He served three missions with his wife to the Cook Islands, Winnipeg, Canada and Charleston, West Virginia. He farmed near Hamer for a time, worked as County Agent in Clark County, taught school at West Jefferson High School and started the FFA program there. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, horseshoes and raising sheep. He also enjoyed traveling and visiting. He will be remembered for his humor, acts of service and recited poetry. He is survived by his wife Phyllis of Grant, his sons Albert (Sharon) of Queen Valley, AZ, Neil (Betsy) of Twin Falls, Id., Roger (Brenda) of Lafayette, LA., a daughter Karleen Orcutt of Glendora, CA. 14 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren with one on the way and two great-great granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter Janetta, son Ralph, son-in-law Fred Orcutt, brothers Jorgen and John, sisters Tilda and Jennie and a grandson Keith Knutson. Funeral services will be held Thursday 5 September 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the Grant LDS Church 3431 East 100 North, Rigby, ID. The family will visit with friends on Wednesday 4 Sept. 2013 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 West Main Street, Rigby, and on Thursday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Bates Cemetery in the Teton Valley.