Joan Knutson

Joan Marie (Hansen) Knutson was born March 4, 1944 to Martin Bernhard Hansen and Julia Katherine (Neuharth) Hansen. She passed away September 8, 2026 in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 82 years, 6 months, and 4 days.

She grew up in Viborg, SD and was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Joan graduated from Viborg High School in 1962. It was an extra special day receiving that diploma, as her dad was the President of the School Board at the time, and presented it to her personally. After graduation, she attended Nettleton School of Business and went to work in Minneapolis for a short time before returning back to Viborg. It was here that she ventured downtown to the roller rink and met the love of her life, Everett Knutson.

Everett and Joan were married June 14, 1964. Together they raised four children on the Knutson Family Farm near Centerville. They were blessed with 58 years of marriage.

Joan loved life on the farm. She found many things that brought her joy, such as a love of quilting. She enjoyed being the stay-at-home mom until her kids were all off to school. It was then that she decided to try something new. She was both an aide and later a CNA at Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home. She loved her many patients!

Joan found time to also be active within the church at Scandia Lutheran. She was a member of the church choir, attended the Bible Study and Women's Aid Groups, and would often volunteer her time and baked goods in the kitchen. God instilled in Joan the notion of being a cheerful giver. Joan was generous in giving what she could from garden produce, to honey, to books/magazines, to puzzles, to quilting material.

Joan dearly loved her grandchildren. If she could possibly make it to their many activities, she would be there!

After an initial cancer diagnosis, she was blessed with three more years. This gave her time to celebrate her 80th birthday, attend her granddaughter's wedding, watch a grandson graduate, and enjoy her first great-grandchild. The news of a great-granddaughter arriving in December brought her great joy before she passed.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Jerry and Russell Hansen, sisters-in-law Barb and Maureen Hansen, and husband Everett Knutson.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children, daughter Susan (Tim) Bjordal of Sioux Falls, SD, son Steven (Vonni) Knutson of Centerville, SD, son Daniel (Kyla) Knutson of Centerville, SD, and daughter Linda (Bill) Strough of Las Vegas, NV; four grandchildren, Seth (Madison) Bjordal of Sioux Falls, SD, Aubrey (Tanner) Binstock of Dickinson, ND, Josiah Knutson (special friend Kayla Stevens) and Bethany Knutson of Centerville, SD; two great-grandchildren Beau Bjordal of Sioux Falls, SD, and Baby Binstock of Dickinson, ND; brothers, Ronald and Glen Hansen, sisters-in-law, JoAnn and Paulette Hansen; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30AM Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Scandia Lutheran Church in Centerville, SD with burial to follow at Holland Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.