Robert (Bob) Dale Knutson, 83, of Cando, ND, passed away on Sep. 17, 2023, at the North Dakota Veterans Home in Lisbon, ND. A Celebration of Life Service will be held from 3 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Creel Bay Golf Course in Devils Lake, ND on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. Burial with full military honors at the ND Veterans Cemetery in Mandan.
Bob was born Aug. 19, 1940, in Cando, ND to Montie and Josephine (Downs) Knutson. Bob grew up on the family farm in Egeland and graduated from Egeland High School in 1958. He attended ND State College of Science in Wahpeton to study diesel mechanics and then served in the Army from 1960-1963 as Diesel Mechanic Instructor at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Bob met Joanne Skalicky in Devils Lake and the couple married on April 24, 1965, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Bob and Joanne moved to Cando where they raised their three children. Bob spent most of his career working for Cenex as a mechanic and fuel truck driver. With a passion for tractors, Bob enjoyed participating in many tractor pulls throughout the state as well as maintaining his own “vintage” collection. He also enjoyed attending the local stock car races in Devils Lake. His wife, Joanne, battled cancer for over 20 years and Bob was her rock. He was there for the many trips to Fargo for treatments and provided endless loving care for her and the family. Bob was also an active member of the American Legion in Cando and spent the last three years of his life living at the North Dakota Veterans Home in Lisbon. He took pride in his service to our country and enjoyed sharing military stories with fellow Veterans. He was loved by the staff and often referred to as the favorite student. Bob had an amazing gift of conversation and cherished time spent conversing with family, friends and new acquaintances. Nobody was a stranger to Bob for very long.
Bob is survived by his three children: Valerie (Michael) Hoffman of Minneapolis, MN; Barbara (William) Sitzman of Indianapolis, IN and Dale (Tracy) Knutson of Houston, TX; his grandchildren: Hattie and Maxwell Hoffman; Brandon (Molly), Bryce and Ashley Sitzman; Daltyn (Camille) and Bradyn Knutson; his sister Betty Mantei (Jerry) Kramer and brother Dave (Linda) Knutson.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife and parents.
Online guestbook is available at www.dunnigandix.com
Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home of Cando, ND is in charge of arrangements.
