Archie G. Knutson

Archie G. Knutson was born October 29, 1914 on the family farm in Freeman Township, the son of John and Louisa (Aanerud) Knutson.  He was born in the same house in which his father was born, which was the first frame house in the area.  Archie attended country school for 9 years in Freeman Township; he flunked one year on purpose to be in the same grade as his brother.  Archie worked on the family farm until 1939 when he was in an airplane accident that left him in the hospital for 4 weeks.  Archie served his country from 1943 – 1945 as a Tech. 4th Grade in the 756th Chemical Depot Co. attached to the 8th Air Force.  He was stationed in England; he ran the motor pool that transported all the incendiary bombs used in the European Theater.  After returning from the war, Archie was united in marriage to Marguerite Gillikin of Lufkin, Texas on September 11, 1945.  Archie worked as a tool maker at Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego, and later as a cabinet maker. He retired from Streaters after 19 years with seniority #2. He was the founder of Knutson Boats, Inc. which produced 85 tri-hull fiberglass boats of his own design in his garage and 26 other fiberglass inventions for customers including the U.S. Forest Service and Boeing before selling the company to Edwards Manufacturing of Albert Lea.  Archie was proud of his Norwegian heritage, being the grandson and great-grandson of immigrants who also fought in the Civil War.  He was a member of Round Prairie Lutheran Church, the Emmons American Legion, VFW, Good Sam Camper/Ranch Club, Coachman Club, Lea Area Petra Club, Sons of Norway, and the National Aeronautic Association with a membership card signed by J.H. Doolittle and Eddie Rickenbacker.  Archie enjoyed fishing and hunting, tenting to Alaska, and traveling, becoming a snowbird after retirement.  Archie was proud to have built the home he and Marguerite lived in for 65 years, starting with sawing down trees and planing them into lumber.  He also built two cabins on Crooked Lake in the Superior National Forest, where he went as often as possible.  He especially loved flying; he got his pilot’s license in his 20’s, went barn-storming in his own plane, was one of a group of pilots who started the Albert Lea Airport, and he also built several airplanes which included an ultralight and the framework for a Pietenpol.  At the age of 97, Archie made his last flight, an event covered by 3 local TV stations.  Archie always regretted that he never got his seaplane license.  Archie worked hard all of his life; he was capable, creative, a true Jack-of-all-trades, patriotic, absolutely reliable - a smart man also blessed with common sense.  Minnesota has lost a great son.  
Survivors include his daughter Mary and many nieces and nephews.
Archie was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marguerite, brothers Earl and Ralph, and sister Junice Citurs.