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Obituaries from the week of Sept. 8, 2010

Bill Knutsen, 71    

William Charles Knutsen was born on August 9, 1939, on a farm near Slayton, MN to Vernon and Lucille (Paden) Knutsen.  Bill was raised by his mother Lucille, her sisters and their husbands.  Bill was mentored by his step-father Lloyd Olson.  He met his wife Annette in grade school.  In 1957 he graduated high school in Tracy, Minnesota.  He joined the US Navy directly upon graduating from high school and served until the summer of 1960. 

Bill married Annette Aarthun on March 11, 1961.  Bill and Annette had four children, Todd, Jay, Craig, and Shelley.  Bill would say he had three careers.  From 1960 to 1979 Bill worked in the electronics industry.  From 1979 until his retirement in 2003 he worked in the glass industry.  He served three terms as the President of the Glass Association of North America.  His third career was life-long volunteering in all of the communities he lived in.  In Montevideo, MN it was his participation in the United Methodist church, Brookside Manor and Meals on Wheels.  In Owatonna, MN he was especially proud of his work with and leadership of Big Brothers and Big Sisters.  Bill received numerous awards and recognition from other groups.  He was also particularly proud to receive a Humanitarian Award from Apogee Enterprises, Inc.  In Amery, WI it has been his work with Polk County Department of Aging and Trinity Lutheran Men in Mission. 

Bill died on September 2, 2010 at the age of 71 years.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Bev Baker, his beloved son Craig and his nephew Kevin Baker. 

Bill is survived by his wife Annette; sons Todd (wife Laura), Jay and daughter Shelley (Mike) Devine; grandchildren Katie, Clint, Rachel, Kurt, Allie, Clare, Ted, Jordan, Steve, Taylor and great grandchild Cora.  He is also survived by a step-brother David Olson and half siblings, Mary Knutsen Kentch, Timothy Knutsen, Diane Stillwell, Steven Knutsen, and many other loving relatives and friends. 

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Dave Teig officiating.   Arrangements were made with the Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Amery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church or the Serenity House in Balsam Lake, WI.  Condolences may be left online at www.williamsonwhite.com.

 

Glenn Shaw, 101 

Glenn R. Shaw age 101 of Walnut Grove passed away Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy.  Funeral services were held  Monday, September 6 at the Walnut Grove Methodist Church with Chaplain Kenneth A. Haack officiating.

Glenn Russell Shaw was born June 4, 1909 in Hitchcock, South Dakota to David and Anna Shaw.  He was baptized and confirmed in the Hitchcock Presbyterian Church.  Glenn graduated from Hitchcock High School in 1927, graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1932, and received his Master’s degree from the University of Minnesota in 1946. 

He was united in marriage to Marguerite Morris on July 20, 1933 in Hot Springs, SD.  Glenn was a teacher and school administrator for 42 years, beginning his teaching career in Canova, SD.  He then taught in Hitchcock and Miller, SD.  Glenn was a Superintendent of schools for 33 years in the following schools: Iroquois, SD; Boyd, SD; Ellendale, MN; and Walnut Grove; retiring in 1974.  He served as a school administrator at Red Bird Mission and Henderson Settlement following his retirement.  Glenn was active in church affairs.  He served as President of the Walnut Grove Community Club and was the first president of the Walnut Grove Development Corporation.  Glenn was a member of the Walnut Grove United Methodist Church, where he was a Lay Pastor for over 35 years.  He also served as Secretary of the Minnesota Conference Aid Fund for Minnesota Students, and was a member of several Conference Committees.  He was a Charter Member of the Walnut Grove Lions Club, and received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award from the Lions Clubs International Foundation.  Glenn enjoyed music, fishing, reading, and spending time with his family. 

Glenn is survived by one daughter Mrs. Richard (Macel) Ovick of Minneapolis; a sister Mrs. Jeanette Tabor of Rapid City, SD; numerous grandchildren; great grandchildren; and great-great grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his wife Marguerite, daughter Kay McDonald, son Glenn (Morrie) Shaw, sister Beryl Haag, and two grandchildren Sandra Human and Rodney Cromwell. 

 Interment was in the Walnut Grove Cemetery.  Memorials are preferred to the Walnut Grove Public School or Walnut Grove Methodist Church.  Online condolences may be sent at www.walnutgrovefuneral home.com.  The Walnut Grove Funeral Home  assisted the family with arrangements.