Watch Sam's Memorial Service

Clinton "Sam" Knutson, age 80 of Gary, MN, passed away peacefully Monday, October 10, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Sam was born on December 11, 1941, in Crookston, MN to Selmer and Evelyn Knutson. He attended Gary School and entered the workforce shortly after.  He was united in marriage to Marlene Larson and together they had 4 wonderful children.

Sam held numerous jobs over the years, mainly doing mechanic work and helping during beet harvest. He had worked at the Shooting Star Casino as a prep cook then as a supervisor for the buffet.  Sam and Marlene worked side by side at the Gary Café for nine years until retiring, due to health issues. Sam was a member of the Gary Lutheran Church; past mayor for the City of Gary; member of the Gary Fire Department, retiring after 25 years; past charter member of the Gary Lions; and was currently on the city council.

Sam and Marlene spent some years traveling south and wintering in Arizona. They also spent many years camping at various lakes, especially Anderson Lake and Little Cormorant Lake, with family and friends. One of Sam's favorite things was to joke around and tease everyone. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting - and in his later years, checking on the guys who were hunting.  He spent many hours mowing lawn for the City of Gary and going with the neighbors to Bejou to play bar bingo and slots.

Sam is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marlene; children: Randy (Sharlene) of Erskine, MN, Clinton Jr (Bonnie) of Detroit Lakes, MN, Lori (Byron) of Gary, and Roger (Kim) of Gary; his grandchildren: Jacob (Sami), Kelsey (Austin), Jaycee, AJ (Christina), Adam (Emily), Bryan (Amanda), Sara (Gatlyn), Addison and Allison; great grandchildren: Aria, Axel, Clara and Hudson; siblings: Nyla Conrad of Salem, MO, Karen Roberson of West Richland, WA, Lynda Rogers of Little Falls, MN, Gayle (Lyle) of West Bend, WI, Mavis (Myron) of Caledonia, MN, Cyndi Burnard of Brainard MN, and Pam (Jeff) of Centennial, CO; brother-in-law, Jim Goforth of Trout Creek, MT; sister-in-law, Marian Narum of Fargo ND; and many nieces and nephews. Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Selmer and Evie; stepfather, Wally Luchau; sisters, Bette Preeman and Avis Goforth; a twin grandson, Andrew Knutson; and two brothers-in-law, Dale Rogers and Larry Narum.

Sam will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, October 21, 2022, at Gary Lutheran Church in Gary.  A time of gathering will be at the church on Thursday, October 20, 2022, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, with a Prayer Service beginning at 6:30 pm.  Inurnment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, his family prefers memorials be given to Gary Lutheran Church, Gary Fire Department or the Gary Rescue Squad, in Sam's memory.