Patricia Knutson

Patricia "Pat" L. Knutson, age 69, of Willmar, died unexpectedly Sunday evening, January 7, at her residence.


A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, January 15, at Tripolis Evangelical Lutheran Church near Kandiyohi. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar. www.petersonbrothers.com


Patricia "Pat" Lynn Knutson was born on May 14, 1948, in Willmar, Minnesota, the daughter of Warren and Leone (Hanson) Johnson. She grew up on a farm on the north side Big Kandiyohi Lake near Lake Lillian and graduated from Willmar High School in 1966. She attended SDSU in Brookings and earned her nursing degree. In 1969, Pat was married to James Gort. They lived in Kandiyohi and were divorced in 1976. In 1978, Pat was married to James Knutson and they made their home in the Willmar community. In 1990, Pat began employment at the Willmar State Hospital as a LPN and retired in 2016. Her hobbies included gardening, sewing, knitting and attending her grandchildren's activities. Pat was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and loved all types of animals.


She is survived by her husband, James Knutson of Willmar; four children, Mitch Gort of Minneapolis, Josh Gort of Minneapolis, Aaron Knutson of Willmar and Serena Knutson (and fiance, Jeff McCartney) of Grand Rapids; and five grandchildren, Evan, Savana, Brooklyn, Jada and Kalee. Also surviving are two brothers, Rick (and Kathy) Johnson of Jackson and Tim (and Theresa) Johnson of Lake Lillian; one sister, Kay (and Ralph) Gilbertson of Moorhead, MN.; and her godson, Tanner Johnson of Spicer, besides other relatives and friends.


She was preceded in death by her parents; her adopted son, Kana Dano; a still born daughter, Jennifer Knutson and one nephew, Eric Johnson.

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