Leonard A. Knutson, 89, of Volga, died Tuesday, August 14, 2012, at the United Living Community in Brookings. Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 18, 2012, at First Lutheran Church in Volga, with interment at the church cemetery. Visitations will be one hour prior to the funeral at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure or the Brookings BATA Bus. Leonard Ardette Knutson was born on August 25, 1922, to Carl and Ida (Gunderson) Knutson in rural Volga, South Dakota. He grew up in Volga where he farmed with his parents and attended rural school. When Leonard was about 20 he enlisted in the Navy. He served as a gunners mate on the U.S.S. Pensacola during the Pacific Campaign. On July 5, 1959, he married Alvina D. Tieszen at Marion, South Dakota. The couple lived and farmed in the Volga area. Leonard was a long time member of First Lutheran Church and the Burrows-Young American Legion Post No. 114 of Volga. He loved John Deere tractors and collecting old farm related equipment and machinery. Leonard enjoyed visiting with people, teasing the family, and playing practical jokes. Leonard is survived by his three step-daughters: JoAnne L. (Milan) Kruse of Brookings, Katherine M. (Fred) Prahl of Lake Norden, South Dakota, and Barbara E. (Richard) Tarp of Blaine, Minnesota; four step-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; and two nieces: Linda (Billy) Tarrant of Anderson, South Carolina, and Wanda (Lynn) Jones of Saint Louis Park, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his wife Alvina; his parents, Carl and Ida; and his sister Mavis Pike. .