Vernon Olaf Knutson

Inwood, IA; Vernon Knutson, 84, of Inwood, passed away on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society in Canton, SD. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 17, at 10:30 AM at Inwood Porter Funeral Home in Inwood with Rev. Sue Sinclair officiating. Burial will follow at the Richland Cemetery of Inwood. Visitation, with the family present, will be held prior to the funeral from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at the Inwood Funeral Home.

   Vernon Olaf was born on July 30, 1940, the son of Olaf and Blanche (Wilka) Knutson. He was born and raised on a farm outside of Inwood, IA. He graduated from Inwood High School in 1958. After graduation he enlisted in The United States Air Force and was inducted on November 15, 1958, and was honorably discharged October 10, 1962. After serving he remained in Denver, CO, where he met the love of his life.

   On June 2, 1963, he married Esther Eckhardt in Sedgwick, CO. In 1966, they moved back to the Knutson family farm outside of Inwood, IA. Vern farmed with his father and brother. In 1984, he got his CDL and drove truck for Midwest Coast Transport for many years. His regular runs were to California. He enjoyed telling his trucking stories and could still tell you the best routes to take and which roads to avoid like any good trucker can. After his trucking career, he helped his son with the farm. Vern enjoyed being on the farm and fixing random things. The farm was his home and his favorite place to be.

   On December 1, 2021, Vern lost the love of his life suddenly. He remained on the farm and in April 2024 moved to the Good Samaritan Society in Canton, SD due to health issues. Though he missed the farm he did grow fond of the staff. He shared his smile and contagious laugh with them.

   He is survived by his two children, Randy (Kristy) Knutson of Inwood and Connie Douglass of Larchwood; he was blessed with five grandchildren, Kyle (Megan) Knutson, Tyler (Alicia) Knutson, Nicole (Jordon) Van Beek, Alexis Knutson, and Jenae Douglass; 2 step grandchildren, Sydnee and Tyree Kammrad; 4 great-grandchildren, Raya Van Beek, Hattie Knutson, Owen Van Beek, Gunnar Knutson, a fifth due in May, and a sixth due in October; sisters, Mavis (Ron) Greenwood of Merrimack, NH, Lyla (John) Severson of Sioux Falls, SD; and brother, Roger Knutson of Sioux Falls, SD; along with many nieces and nephews.

   He was preceded in death by his wife, Esther; his parents; his siblings, Loren Knutson, Eleanor (Dwayne) Forest, Royce Knutson, Don (Maxine) Knutson, Bud Knutson, Betty Middendorp, and Joel Knutson.