Sylvan Kermit Knutson

Celebration of Life Services for Sylvan K. Knutson, age 85, will be Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 11:00 PM to 2:00 PM at “The Social” 301 South Thompson Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 1-605-412-9030, with Vicar Brad Sanderson officiating. Sylvan K. Knutson of Volga, formally of Lake Preston, SD passed away Saturday, November 9, 2024 at The Neighborhoods at Brookview in Brookings, SD. Arrangements have been entrusted to Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel of Arlington, Lake Preston, Oldham.

Sylvan Kermit Knutson age 85 formerly of Lake Preston, SD, passed away on Saturday November 9, 2024, after a two month stay at Neighborhoods at Brookview in Brookings, SD. Since January of 2023 he had been residing with his wife Mary at the Dakota Sun Assisted Living center in Volga, SD. Prior to 2023 their primary residence was in Lake Preston, SD.

Sylvan began life in Inwood, Iowa. He was born on May 31, 1939, to Leo Knutson and Ingrid (Hovet) Knutson. He was the youngest of two sisters and two brothers. Sylvan lived on a farm with his family before moving to Sioux Falls, SD at an early age. Sylvan graduated from the Augustana Academy in Canton, SD in 1957. Upon graduation he attended Augustana College. He also studied at Sioux Falls College and the University of South Dakota.

He was employed by an elevator construction company, farm equipment company, and the South Dakota State Penitentiary. He was active in the Sioux Falls Police Reserves and served in various positions in the local Civil Defense Reaction Force for disasters and emergencies.

In 1972 his career path diverted from law enforcement into the food service industry. He became a restaurant owner-partner with Sambo’s restaurant in Mankato, Minnesota. After recovering from illness in 1977, he took various management positions for Sambo’s and managed locations in Fort Dodge, IA and Sioux Falls, SD. In his final years in the food-service industry he held a management level position with the Burlington Restaurant in Sioux Falls, SD.

On February 23 of 1989 he married Mary Dewaard in Saratoga, Wyoming. In the great western skies of Wyoming, he was employed as a groundskeeper at the Old Baldy Club (fitting if you have seen Sylvan with his hat off). It is a private club and golf course located in Saratoga along the sweeping banks of the North Platte River. During this period, he became interested in lawn and turf care and the maintenance of the required equipment. Sylvan and Mary ended their travels and careers in Lake Preston, SD where they resided for more than 20 years. During retirement he operated a lawn care and a furniture restoration business there.

Grateful for sharing his life are his wife Mary (Hubers Dewaard) Knutson, Mitchell, SD, sons Kevin Knutson (Jill Jaunty) Omaha, NE and Keith Knutson Reidsville, NC; his step-children, Paul Dewaard, (Lori), Atlanta, GA, Pam Harris (Todd), Overgaard, AZ, Doug Dewaard (Angel), Mitchell, SD; his brothers and sisters, Marian Nilsson (Daryl, aka Bud), Sioux Falls, SD, Lois Kemerling, Denver, CO, Lloyd (Donna) Knutson, Sioux Falls, SD, Allen (Phyllis) Knutson, Sioux Falls SD. ; 7 grand-children, 6 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews; dear friends Bill (Sherry) Van Beek, Volga, SD and loved one Cecelia Dewaard, Sioux Falls, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Ingrid (Hovet) Knutson, daughter in-law Angela Knutson, brother-in-law Charles Kemerling, stepson Mark Dewaard, step-granddaughter Megan Dewaard and nephew Wayne Nilsson.

A memorial service is being held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at “The Social” located at 301 South Thompson Ave, Sioux Falls, SD from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. All who can attend are invited. In lieu of flowers and memorial has been established at:

Sylvan Knutson Memorial
First National Bank,
210 N. Main Street, PO Box 68,
Lake Preston, SD 57249

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