Lee Hans Knutsen, 84, passed away peacefully at his home in Marshalltown, Oct. 11, 2023.
A private graveside service was held.
Lee was born May 6, 1939 in Cedar Rapids, the son of Hans and Tillie Knutsen. Starting at an early age, he was very active in helping his parents on the ‘Knutsen farm’ on ‘Old 30’ west of Mount Vernon. Lee graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1957 where he was very active all four years in football, basketball and track, lettering and starting for the Mustangs in each of the sports. During this time he developed close friendships with fellow athletes and classmates, and he enjoyed a special bond with several friends who shared his passion for high performance cars. These friends helped him become a strong competitor in organized drag racing. He routinely competed at the Cordova, Ill. Drag Strip in weekend racing and special events including the annual national racing event.
Following his MVHS graduation, despite continuing to help “the folks” on the farm, Lee worked full time at Quaker Oats and part time at a local gas station. He then became a sales person at Sears and Roebuck in Cedar Rapids and quickly became a department manager. It was at Sears that he met June Walters, also a Sears department manager, and they were united in marriage May 20, 1966 in Las Vegas, Nev. From 1963-67, Lee honorably served his country in the United States Army where he had specialized Green Beret training and was at sea for months positioned to lead his squad as part of the anticipated initial invasion associated with the Cuban Crisis. Shortly thereafter, Lee and June moved to Conrad, where he became one of the owners and general manager of Bob’s Farm Center.
Lee’s determination and his remarkable work ethic were well known and greatly respected by his many farm clients and for the essential services he provided in support of farmers in a multi-county area of Central Iowa. Lee was a rare individual who combined a hard work ethic with a driven entrepreneurship. In addition to managing the Farm Center, he introduced a number of services and disciplines that broadened the Center’s support for the area’s agricultural community. He expanded specialized services to include a much-needed fuel and oil delivery division. During this time, he was a dedicated father to his children and was very supportive of their school activities and interests. Lee continued to provide encouragement to each of them as they progressed in their successful business careers.
Concurrently, Lee was supportive and very proud of June’s successful residential home purchase and remodeling business. After four plus decades, Lee sold his Farm Center ownership and retired. So typical of Lee, his retirement literally lasted only five days. He immediately purchased and then totally rebuilt a struggling sanitation business expanding it into AAA Septic. Lee and June’s oldest son, Jerry, ultimately became the owner and their daughter Peggy helped manage the company. He also founded Advance Garage Doors, a Marshalltown company that one of his grandsons owns and operates today. During the past several years, Lee enjoyed doing “quality control” work in support of his grandson’s growing company.
Lee is survived by June, his wife of 57 years and two children, Peggy Heldenbrand and Randy Lansing; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren as well as his brother Gary Lee Knutsen and nephew, Gunnar Knutsen.
He was preceded in death by his oldest son, Jerry Lansing and by his parents, Hans and Tillie Knutsen.
Mitchell Family Funeral Home cared for Lee and his family.