Gary Dean Knutson 'Dean,' 60

Gary Dean Knutson, "Dean," 60, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 5, 2006, at his home in Polson.

He was born March 16, 1946, in Minot, N.D., to Orville and Viola Knutson. Dean graduated from Ryder High School in 1964. He married Linda McGuire on April 16, 1966, in Wabek, N.D., and they had three children, Cory and Angie Knutson, Heidi and Lee Anderson, and Heather Knutson.

Following high school, Dean moved to Kalispell and worked briefly for Skyline Dairy. He then moved back to North Dakota to get married and managed Great Plains Supply in Ryder. In 1969 he returned to Montana, settled in Polson and managed Rolfson Lumber Yard.

Dean's entrepreneurial spirit lead him into many adventures. In 1973 he started Polson Paint and Glass. He sold that business in 1976 and began manufacturing Fisher wood stoves, then later became the first franchise manufacturer of the Earth Stove. In 1980 he started Big Sky Fabricators to manufacture metal materials for the stove business, and also contracted other metal work. With Big Sky Fabricators, he secured three government contracts for the Rock Island Arsenal, manufacturing the M12 and M18 gas filters and the 256 chemical detector kits. During this time he employed over 150 people. In 1990, Dean started in the food industry and began making Country Pasta, which is still owned and operated by the Knutson family.

His drive for business success could only be rivaled by his passion for horses and the ranching way of life. He found great pleasure in hooking up his team and plowing the fields the same as they did in the days of old. When he didn't have his team of horses, he used antique farm equipment purchased from auctions all across the northwest.

Dean is survived by his wife of 40 years, Linda Knutson; his children, Cory and Angie Knutson of Polson, Heidi and Lee Anderson of Kalispell, and Heather Knutson of Polson; his grandchildren, Brooke, Beau, Kenzie and Kylee Wegner of Polson; his brothers, Greg and Scott Knutson of Polson; and his sister, Vicki Richwine of Polson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Viola Knutson; sister, Diana Wretling; and his granddaughter, Sofia Anderson.

Dean lived life to the fullest and touched the lives of many with his magnetic personality and sense of humor. He always had time for his friends and treated them like family. He will truly be missed by everyone.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, May 8 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 9 at the Grogan Funeral Home in Polson. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 10 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Polson with Rev. Paul Rowold officiating.

Condolences may also be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are by Grogan Funeral Home & Crematory of Polson.