The celebration of life service for Dr. Alan N Knudsen, D.V.M. will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Lutheran Church, 100 Peace Ridge, Highway 63 South, in Lake City, with the Rev. Darren Paulson officiating.

Dr. Knudsen, 79, of Lake City, died early Sunday morning, Oct. 30, 2011, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Lake City.

Alan Niel Knudsen was born Jan. 17, 1932, in Albert Lea, to Holger and Evangeline (Larsen) Knudsen. He attended elementary and high school in Albert Lea, graduating in 1950. He then attended Iowa State University School of Veterinary Science graduating in 1956. On Dec. 27, 1953, he married Marcia Leader in Geetingsville, Ind. Al practiced veterinary medicine from 1956 to 1998 in Lake City. He was a very active member of First Lutheran Church in Lake City, Kiwanis Club of Lake City where he received the George F Hixson Award and most recently the Lifetime Achievement Award for 45 years of service and devotion to the club ideals; the Environmental Learning Program and the Lake City Food Shelf. Al enjoyed going fishing, and other outdoor sports, mushroom hunting, watercolor painting, mentoring children, pre-vet students and many artists (Al’s Art Gang). He loved working with his dogs and showing them.

Al is survived by his wife, Marcia Knudsen of Lake City; one son, Dr. Scott (Beth) Knudsen, of Lake City; two daughters: Lori Ann (Jim) Myers of Winter Park, Colo., and Johanna (Dr. Keith) Berge of Rochester; six grandchildren: Lindsey and Kelsi Myers, Steven and Michelle Knudsen, Nick (Erin) and Jennifer (Jack) Kalyuzhny; one sister, Avis Jorgenson of Tucson, Ariz.; and one brother, Buzz (Harriet) Knudsen of Albert Lea. He was preceded in death by his parents, one infant daughter, and one niece.

Friends and family may visit from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at First Lutheran Church in Lake City and one hour prior to the service at the Church on Saturday. Memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church Building Fund or E.L.P.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Schleicher Funeral Homes, Lake City Chapel, 1865 S Hwy 61, PO Box 300, Lake City, MN, 651-345-5778. Guest register may be signed on line at www.schleicherfuneralhomes.com.