Kenneth Dale Knutson was born July 3, 1934 on the family farm west of Centerville, SD, to parents Arthur and Sena (Jensen) Knutson. He died May 27, 2012 at Bethesda Nursing Home in Beresford, SD at the age of 77 years, 5 months and 27 days. Ken graduated from Centerville High School in 1953. He married Joann Peterson on February 12, 1956. He farmed from 1955 to 1995. In 1970, Ken and Joann started Knutson Western Store with his brother Lyle and his wife Karen. They operated the store until retiring in 2005 due to Ken's health. In 1990, the couple built a home on an acreage west of Truck Towne where he lived until his death. Horses were Ken's passion. He participated in many horse shows, rodeos, pleasure rides and trail rides. He won a Championship Buckle in team penning at Gary, SD in 2002 along with his wife Joann and Donna Christensen. He also qualified for the SDRA rodeo finals in 2003, winning a performance round. Grateful for sharing his life are his wife of 56 years, Joann of Beresford; daughter Cindy (Chuck) Carlson, Lake Poinsett; two sons, Robbie (Teresa) Knutson and Ronnie (Lori) Knutson, both of Beresford; seven grandchildren, Andy Carlson, Lindsay (Josh) Winquist, Sarah (Kyle) Reppe, Joseph (Melissa) Knutson, Blaine Knutson (special friend Jennifer Anderson), Tanner Knutson and Lance Knutson; five great grandchildren, Alex, Caden, and Emily Winquist, Easton Knutson and Gracelynn Anderson, and great grandchild # 6 to arrive in June; brother Lyle (Karen) Knutson, sister Ruth Ann (Vern) Bamsey, sister-in-law Jean Knutson, and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Rev. Jacob (Jack) Knutson, and his lifelong friends John and Karen Stuntebeck. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM, Wednesday, May 30 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Beresford with burial to follow at Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Beresford. Visitation will be Tuesday at the church from 6PM to 8PM with a prayer service at 7PM