Fern E. Knutson

Fern E. Knutson, 93, of Vermillion SD passed away peacefully on Saturday September 3, 2022, at the Sanford Vermillion Care Center. Visitation will be held Thursday September 8, 2022, at the Hansen Funeral Home-Vermillion, from 5:00-7:00PM. Funeral service will be Friday, September 9, 2022, at Concordia Lutheran Church, Vermillion at 10:00AM.

Fern Elizabeth (Wooledge) Knutson was born to Eliza and Amelia (Springer) Wooledge on May 20, 1929, in Gann Valley, SD. Fern attended High school in Albert Lea, MN. Shortly after graduating, she married Ralph Merlin Knutson in July of 1947, at Zion Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, MN. Fern and Ralph were married 63 years.

Fern was a stay-at-home mother for majority of her life, yet still managed to keep busy with varies jobs. She drove Sugar beat trucks during fall harvest, and often hauled beans for Len-Fran Abel in Nebraska. Fern had purchased her own organ with her wages which was one of her hobbies amongst many others, such as, playing cards, baking, and canning fresh produce from her garden, she enjoyed watching football as a Broncos and Vikings fan, as well as baseball, rooting for the Yankees and Twins. Fern read novels in her downtime, watched game shows, she bowled with Ralph for years on the church league. She also enjoyed spending her time outdoors, although “she didn’t care for the warm parts of summer” Fern would enjoy camping and fishing the lakes of Minnesota, but did not enjoy baiting her own hooks, this was always the job for Ralph. She would cook up the best fish in a cast iron skillet on an open fire.  

Amongst her many other hobbies and interests, Fern also taught Sunday school, bible school and study hall classes. She enjoyed ladies church group and supervising bible studies.

Fern E. Knutson was preceded in death by her husband Ralph, and her Parents Eliza and Amelia Wooledge.

Those who will always hold a special place in her heart. Matt Hodges, Steven Reid, Carol Knutson, Jeff Holtan, her neighbors Bob, and Liz Wood, and of course her church family at Concordia Lutheran.