Orvin H. Knutson

Orvin H. Knutson, age 81 of Ferryville, died Tuesday, April 12, 2011. Orvin Harlan Knutson, age 81 of Ferryville, died Tuesday, April 12, 2011. He was born on March 26, 1930 in the township of Freeman to Karl and Anne (Olson) Knutson. On December 3, 1955 he was united in marriage to Naomi Jean Lankford. After beginning his career as a logger, Orvin's entrepreneurial spirit took over. In 1959 he opened the Ferryville Feed Store maintaining the store as well as a traveling the countryside with his portable feed mill. Over the years Orvin visited hundreds of farms and to the present continued to reminisce about his travels and the people he met. In 1975 Orvin and his wife Naomi began a new chapter in their careers purchasing the Knutson Lumber Yard which they operated until the late 1980's. During this time Orvin liked nothing more than visiting building sites to 'supervise' the crews. The late 1980's brought yet another career change when Orvin and Naomi started an Arts and Crafts business which transitioned to the Riverview Crafts and Antiques shop in 1993. Orvin never fully retired, working on a building project as recently as three weeks ago. Throughout his adult life there were two things that were extremely important to Orvin - family and community. What Orvin gave to his community will never be fully recognized or appreciated. As an active member of the Booster Club Orvin brought tremendous enjoyment to people throughout the region by starting and running some of the best softball tournaments the area has seen. In addition, Orvin's civic involvement included multiple terms as Village President and Board Member as well as serving as a Village and Crawford County Deputy Sheriff. When it came to family, Orvin was particularly proud of his role as grandpa and great-grandpa to Carlie and Emily, especially since 'his girls' both happened to be born on his birthday! Whether as husband, father, brother,uncle or cousin Orvin was always generous with support and advice. Favorite leisure activities ran the gamut from fishing to traveling to bowling to an occasional visit to a casino. A long-time Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers fan, Orvin enjoyed visiting Lambeau Field and County Stadium to watch his favorite teams play; these trips were highlighted by the opportunity to attend the 1982 World Series in County Stadium. He is survived by two daughters: Denise Knutson of DePere, Wis., and Julie (Michael) Beranek of Holmen, Wis.; one granddaughter, Carlie (Jason) Rowe of Holmen and one great-granddaughter, Emily Rowe; three sisters: Alice Gilman of LaCrosse, Linda Knutson of Oak Park, Ill, and Diane (Ed) Bouffard of St. Cloud, MN; sister-in-law: Wanda Lankford of Texas; special friend, Carla Haggerty of Ferryville; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother in infancy; his wife, Naomi who died in1993; siblings: Kenneth, Reuben, Mildred Anderson and Betty Redman. Blessed be our memory of Orvin Harlan Knutson. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 15, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Freeman Lutheran Church, rural Ferryville. Pastor Doug Andersen will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 123 W. Decker (Hwy 56) in Viroqua and at the church on Friday one hour prior to the service. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Homes of DeSoto and Viroqua are serving the family.