Herbert Oliver Ludvig Knutsen, 77

Herbert Oliver Ludvig Knutsen, 77, of Missoula, passed away April 5, 2011, at Hillside Manor.

He was born Sept. 3, 1933 in Everett, Wash., to Leif and Inga Knutsen.  Herbert was the seventh of 10 children.

Herb graduated from Western Washington College in Bellingham, Wash., in 1955.  After serving in the Army he entered Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., graduating in 1962.

He married Sandra Jean Peterson in 1961. The following year they moved to the prairies of eastern Montana. He served his entire ministry in Montana.  His first call was to McCabe, then to Bonner, Plentywood, Belgrade, Bigfork and Sunburst. He retired in 1977.

Herb was a kind and gentle person who was very accepting of others and demonstrated deep compassion in his work and personal life. He wrote poetry and often summarized his sermons with a poem. Many people have poems he wrote for weddings and funerals. He enjoyed watercolor painting and calligraphy.

While living in Bonner he was president of Concerned Citizens for Constructive Change and Democratic state committeeman from Missoula County. In Plentywood he helped establish Glenwood Group Home. He also became an emergency medical technician and volunteered on the ambulance.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leif and Inga; brothers, Elmer, Lawrence, Wil, Leif and Richard; and sisters, Olive and Iris.

He is survived by his sisters, Sheila Knutsen and Ruth Sundseth; his loving wife, Sandra Jean; daughters, Cynthia Ann Knutsen, Charlotte Marie Knutsen and Kelly Nicklay; son, Joel William Knutsen, and wife, Jennifer; grandchildren, Samuel Knutsen Saroff, Suzanne Marie Saroff, Emily Marie Lee, Victoria Delores Nicklay, Saige Amber Knutsen, David Lawrence Knutsen and Ana Daria Rodgiquez Knutsen; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Barbara Peterson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church. A reception will follow in the church hall.

Family requests memorials to the Lutheran Church or the Missoula Food Bank.

“Rest in peace, our dear one.”

Arrangements are under the care of Garden City Funeral Home.