June C. Knutson, age 90, of Flandreau, SD, passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at Avera Flandreau Hospital.
June Christine Christensen, daughter of Axel J. and Alma (Helmer) Christensen as born on March 21, 1927 near Hannaford, ND. She attended rural school in Bald Hill Township finishing her elementary education in seven years. June attended high school in Hannaford, ND graduating in 1943. After graduation she worked in Valley City and St. Paul, MN where she was employed at Western Electric Telephone Co. as a dial inspector. In 1946 she returned to ND and met the love of her life, Elmer Knutson, from Hope, ND. They married on January 12, 1947 and made their home on their farm near Hope, ND until 1960. In May 1960 they moved to Montana and lived 2 1/2 years in Sidney, MT and 2 1/2 years in Glasgow, MT. While at Sidney June worked at Ben Franklin and at the Farmer’s Union Oil Co. doing stock record work. In May 1970 they moved to Larimore, ND when Elmer was transferred to the Grand Forks Air Force Base. While in Larimore, June worked for the school district as clerk of the school district and other office work. After retirement they returned to the farm, spent several years in Flandreau, SD returning to ND for a few years and, when forced by ill health, back to Flandreau to be near their daughter Joy.
June is survived by 4 daughters: Joy (Don) Chamley, Egan, SD, Marie Keese of Lincoln, NE, Kathleen Joyce of New Salem, ND and Karen Knutson (Vi) of St. Cloud, MN; six grandchildren: Todd (Karla) Chamley, Mark (Chris Carlblom) Chamley, John (Celine) Joyce, Sarah (Eric) Castillo, Sally (Riley) Clark, and Susan Keese; six great grandchildren: Gunnar, Isabella, Elizabeth, Steven, Paul, and Ethan; two step-grandchildren: Elliot and Kadence and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and five siblings (Kermit, Vernon, Gordon, Dale, and Virginia).
Her funeral service was March 28 at Union Lutheran Church, Hannaford. www.skrochfc.com
