Samuel Knutson

Samuel Lincoln Â?SamÂ? Knutson was born on March 14, 1953 in St. Paul, MN, the son of Harold L. and Elenora Knutson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Granite Falls Lutheran Church and attended public school in Granite Falls. Sam was united in marriage to Lori Thielen on Feb. 28, 1984 in Watertown, SD. They made their home in Granite Falls where Sam, prior to his physical disability, traded and dealt with antiques and was employed by PrairieÂ?s Edge Casino as a card dealer. Sam enjoyed shooting his guns, hunting, fishing, cooking, playing cards and making people laugh with his unique sense of humor. He also loved spending time with his family. He felt that Rory Bird, Jenny Aurelius and Raina Anderson were like his own children. Following a stroke on January 6, 2007, Sam became a resident of Westwood Home in Granite Falls. On Sunday, September 13, 2009, Sam became seriously ill and was airlifted to St. Joseph Hospital in St. Paul. He died there in the presence of his loving family in the early morning hours of Thursday Sept. 17, 2009. He was 56 years of age. Surviving family include his wife- Lori; his children- Rachel, Lacey & Gunnar; his granddaughter- Reagan; his mother; siblings- Christine (& Cliff) Lund, Kathryn Knutson, Daniel (& Wanda) Knutson, Karen (& Drew) Caruso, Janine Anderson and Dominick Knutson; several nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his father.