Mervin E. Knutson, 80, of Grand Meadow died Jan. 4, 2011.

He was born July 19, 1930, in Beaver Township, Fillmore County to Albert and Mae (Jensen) Knutson. He grew up working on the family farm in Rural Grand Meadow and later worked for Stier Wholesale and Osmundsons. Mervin was united in marriage to Joan Nelson on Dec. 1, 1951, in Rochester, and entered the United States Marine Corps later that same month. After two years of service, he returned to Rochester, where he worked a short time for Marigold Dairy, Quarve and Anderson for the next 42 years. Mervin also farmed in rural Grand Meadow. Mervin always wanted to keep busy, often doing chores and taking care of pets for family and friends.

He loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed talking about his heritage and history. He was a long time member of Bear Creek Lutheran Church where he was confirmed.

He has always loved farming and in later years he planted and harvested many vegetables from his large gardens to give away to family and friends. He also enjoyed taking daily drives around the area to check on crops, stopping at the local elevator, local cemeteries, and eating at area restaurants. He especially liked stopping to visit all of his friends and families along the way.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Knutson of Grand Meadow; children, Deb (Randy) Durhman, Donna (Tom) Stejskal and Dean (Cally) Knutson all of Grand Meadow; grandchildren: Lisa, Sara, Derrick, John, Blayne, Andrea, Anthony, Brittany, Corey, Adam, Tyler, Blake, Katie and Ema; great-grandchildren: Jimmy, Marie, Stephen, Justin, Ethan, Quentin, Perry, Michael, Xander, Myla, Haylee, Tucker, and Adalyn and siblings, Bev Strewe of Grand Meadow and Merle (Kaye) Knutson of Fairbault.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, at Bear Creek Lutheran Church with the Rev. Jane Timmerman officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery following the service with military rites by the Harry T. Anderson American Legion Post 140. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Hindt Funeral Home In Grand Meadow and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Condolences may be left at www.hindtfuneralhomes.com