John Knutson, 75, of White, passed away on March 2, 2023, at the Brookings Hospital.  A public visitation and fellowship time will be held on Sunday, March 5, 2023, from 1:00 until 3:00 P.M. at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.

John Richard Knutson was born on May 31, 1947, to Melvern and Elsie (Steinbach) Knutson in Pipestone, Minnesota.  At the age of two, John's family moved to a home East of Brookings.  He graduated from Brookings High School in 1965.  On June 30, 1964, John enlisted in the Army National Guard, serving until 1967, when he enlisted in the United States Navy.  While enlisted in the Navy, John was a member of the Naval Construction Battalion-better known as the "Seabees".  John honorably served his country during the Vietnam War until his discharge in 1970.  On November 21, 1970, John was united in marriage to Roberta Vaselaar and the couple made their home near White, South Dakota until John's passing.

John can be described as a carpenter through and through.  Although his heart was forever devoted to farming, John was able to provide for his family through carpentry work.  He loved working on, tinkering, and fixing things.  He was a mentor to many, teaching skills of the construction trade.  Work was his passion, and oftentimes his work funded other passions in his life-particularly his 1970 purple Dodge Charger Project.  John also enjoyed spending each morning with his local coffee group where any number of topics were discussed in detail.  Perhaps John's greatest love in life was his family.  John was very proud of his children and everything they were able to accomplish.  His granddaughters held a very special place in his heart.  Always a doting grandpa, John would do anything and everything he could for his granddaughters.  Although he could be gruff at times, John will be fondly remembered as a man who had a very big heart.

John is survived by his wife, Roberta, of White, SD; children: Tina (Rebekah) Knutson and Josh (Kristy) Knutson; granddaughters: Keylee, Morgan, and Cortney Knutson; and his siblings: Melvin Knutson, Beverly Yates, Carol Even, Darvin Knutson, and Dawn Johnson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Melvern and Elsie Knutson; and his siblings: Alvin Knutson, Leona Stulen, and Harold Knutson.