Walter Reginald Knutson

Walter Reginald Knutson of Thunder Bay passed away peacefully in Bethammi Nursing Home on July 11th, 2016, two days after his 91st birthday.

Walter was born in Port Arthur on July 9th, 1925. In 1944 he graduated from Port Arthur Technical and Commercial High School with a major in electricity and promptly joined the Royal Canadian Navy proudly serving his country until the end of World War II.

Walter earned his Electrical Certificate in 1949 and his employment included United Grain Growers, Knutson Brothers Construction in partnership with his brother Ralph and many years with the engineering company Barnett McQueen. In 1968 he began a satisfying 30 plus year career as Electrical Superintendent at Valley Camp Inc. in Thunder Bay.

Walter married his love, Dorothy Ann Harrower on September 21st, 1951 and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2011, shortly before her passing. He was a devoted husband and father, his pride and joy being his 3 children and 5 grandsons.

Walter was a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, the Thunder Bay Naval Association and the Norwegian Canadian Association. Taking great pride in his Scandinavian heritage he passionately studied the Norwegian language, traditions and history and travelled to the annual Nordic Fest in Decorah, Iowa for many years.

His special talents were carpentry, cabinet making and motor mechanics.

He was creative and masterfully crafted many things from children's wooden toys and furniture to fine kitchen cabinets, beautiful hammered copper bowls and lanterns and even a leaded glass window. A descendent of Norwegian ship builders Walter took an avid interest in ships and aircraft and aero-modeling. In his early years he enjoyed hunting and fly-fishing, patiently tying his own flies.

He loved the outdoors and had a deep appreciation for nature and wildlife. He was well read, an amazing story-teller and had extensive knowledge of both world and family history. Walter and Dorothy enjoyed many driving holidays in Canada, the northern U.S. and journeyed to Norway, England and Scotland to explore their heritage.

They celebrated their 50th anniversary in Hawaii in 2001. It was through Dorothy's love of gardening that Walter discovered that he too had a 'green thumb' and together they cultivated roses, flowers, vegetables and flowering trees around their home.

Walter is survived by his children Deborah, Jennifer, and Robert and his five grandsons; Aaron and Zachary Ramsay and Kristian, Stefan, and Leif Peltonen. He will be sadly missed by Deborah's partner Bill 'Sam' Thompson and Vesa Peltonen as well as his brothers and sisters Betty (Ken) McAskill, Robert (Marilyn), Irene (George) Hartviksen, and Edward, his sister-in-law Priscilla and many other relatives and friends.

Walter was predeceased by his wife Dorothy and their infant son Kurt, his parents John and Jenny Knutson, siblings Ralph, Norman, Kenneth, and Margaret Rasmussen and several brothers and sisters-in-law as well as other relatives.

Walter will be remembered as a good and gentle man with a kind, steady and dependable nature. Special thanks to the Bethammi Nursing Home staff for their care and compassion, to Holly Rupert for her warmth and nurturing support, and to Veterans Affairs for their ongoing support.

A Celebration of Life will be held for the late Walter Knutson at the Sargent & Son Funeral Home, 21 North Court Street at 11:00 am on Wednesday July 20th with the Reverend David Knudson officiating. A luncheon and Internment at Riverside Cemetery will follow. A Visitation will take place from 5 to 7 pm on Tuesday July 19th at the Funeral Home.

Those wishing to do so may remember Walter through donations to the Thunder Bay Naval Association, St. Joseph's Foundation of Thunder Bay, the Salvation Army or a charity of their choice. On-line condolences may be made through www.sargentandson.com

Seeing death as the end of life is like seeing the horizon at the end of the ocean. - David Searls