Kevin Lee Knutson

Kevin Lee Knutson passed away on October 30, 2023, peacefully at home with his family, one week shy of his 65th birthday. He gave everything he could in a courageous battle with cancer for over a year.

Kevin was born in Eau Claire, WI to Omar and Beverly Knutson on November 6, 1958. He attended various elementary schools and was in the first class of 8th grade at DeLong. He graduated from high school in Eau Claire in 1977.

His first real job, although he had jobs starting at age 12, was at McDonald's on Water Street when he was 16. Kevin began his career with an apprenticeship through Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 385 (which became Local 434) in 1982. As a local member, he was an active voice on committees, a night class instructor, a certified welder and a foreman on many different job sites across the Midwest.

He worked with many great guys at both McDonalds and the local. Some even became lifelong friends. It wasn't uncommon for some of those friends, as well as others, to notice his open garage while driving on Birch Street and then pull into the alley and stop in for a visit. These visits could last 10 minutes or 2 hours. Kevin loved to tinker out in his garage where he would build race cars, a go-kart for his grandson, furniture and other projects for family and friends. Kevin was always willing to lend a hand to others.

In January of 1979, Kevin met the love of his life, Avis Emry. On the night he met Avis, he returned home and told his roommates that he had met the woman he was going to marry. They dated for 8 months, were engaged in August 1979 and were married on January 26, 1980. Kevin and Avis enjoyed softball, stock car races, spending time with friends and camping.

After 5 1/2 years of marriage, he and Avis started their family. First, they had Shelby, then 18 months later Derek was born, and 18 months after that came Lynnel. Needless to say, they became a very busy family who made memories that will be cherished forever. Kevin loved his family dearly and he was so very proud of them.

Later in life, as the grandkids arrived, he became their beloved "Grandpa Dude." His children and grandchildren will always remember him as their biggest supporter, a patient listener and a big kid at heart who enjoyed go karts, playing with the grandkids in the sandbox, pulling them in a wagon and pushing them on a swing at the lake watching the sunset. Kevin especially loved Christmas with his family and we will always remember his big smile when everyone was together playing cribbage.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 44 years Avis; his children, Shelby (Charley) Bruce, Derek (Kayla) Knutson and Lynnel Knutson; four grandchildren, Carson Knutson, Peyton Knutson, Lachlan Bruce and William Bruce; his brothers, Joel (Karen) Knutson and Kyle (Kelly) Knutson and sister, Stacey Knutson; sister-in-law, Fran Emry; brother-in-law, Kevin (Cindy) Emry; an aunt, Nancy and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Beverly and Omar Knutson; his mother-and-father-
in-law, Alvina and Leonard Emry and two brothers-in-law, Dean Emry and Randy Emry and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

His family would like to take this opportunity to thank the teams at Mayo Luther Campus who made Kevin's wish to come home possible. They would also like to thank the hospice nurses who made him comfortable at home so that he could spend cherished time with his family and a few visitors. Again, thank you.

A service will be held at 3pm Saturday, December 2, 2023 at WEST CHAPEL- Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services, 1405 North Clairemont Ave, Eau Claire, WI, with Pastor Jeff Carlson officiating. A celebration of life will be at 1pm up until the time of service at the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at www.lenmarkfh.com.

Kevin loved Christmas and started to listen to Christmas music in his garage non-stop starting the dayafter Thanksgiving. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that if you are able to attend Kevin's celebration of life that you bring a wrapped toy for a child that the family will donate to a local charity.