Albert James Knutson, 91

Albert James Knutson of Polson began his life April 11, 1932, filling his 91-plus years with much adventure, love and hard work. He passed away Jan. 18, 2024, at St. Luke Extended Care in Ronan.

The second child of Alfred and Mary (Brown) Knutson, Albert grew up with an incredible sense of duty. When his mother died when he was only 10 years old, he took on the responsibility of helping raise his five siblings.

Albert worked hard and played hard. His grandpa, "Fire Chief Brown," had him driving fire trucks as a young lad, leading him at age 19 to accept a job of running dump trucks for the completion of Glacier's Going to the Sun Road.

His driving, however, wasn't limited to his employment, as the Lake County Sheriff at the time could attest. If the lawman found his patrol car without tires, he knew that Albert had "BORROWED" them for the evening, though always returning them as the Sheriff simply shook his fist at the culprit!

Albert was a man of many talents, ending his schooling after eighth-grade graduation! He could build anything without written plans, fix anything in the household including when Norma, wanting a new toaster, cut off the power plug, leading Albert to rewire it with a six-foot cord! This bashed Norma's plan for a new appliance but allowed her to brown her toast from the living room.

Albert married Norma Dennis in 1955. The family knew that he was "the" one when even the ornery barnyard goose befriended Albert. Many years later, in an interview at the nursing home, Albert joked that through their 65 years of marriage, divorce was never considered. “Murder yes but, never divorce!”

Family was everything to Albert and he was extremely proud of his sons; Albert Lee who was born in 1956 and Michael Ray who followed in 1957. The boys grew up with much extended family who enjoyed crazy campouts and weekly Sunday dinners. 

Albert’s love of children included all the neighborhood kids who were treated to Norma’s home baked treats and the ice cream push-ups that Albert insisted each kid needed – “one for each hand.” Their family included two foster children, Rachael Jardine and Joe Lilly, who were loved as if they were their own.

As a newlywed, Albert worked at the old sawmill (where Kwataqnuk Resort is now) and in 1958 he began a 36-year stretch at Plum Creek Lumber in Pablo, where he took great pride in drying lumber, running the boiler and was supervisor of the Yard Dept. for many years.

Albert was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Mary; siblings Ida Combs, Lilburn, Clayton, Ronald Knutson and Ella Hintz; his wife Norma of 66 years and son Mike, who died 33 days prior to Norma's passing in 2021. Joe Lilly also preceded him in death.  

Papa Albie, as he was lovingly known by his grandkids, is survived by son Al, daughters-in-law Amy and Debi, grandchildren Kirby, Robbyn, Andrew, Chris and Anna, along with numerous great-grandchildren and sister-in-law Barbara Knutson. Albert loved them all unconditionally.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday July 13, 2024, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Polson, at 10 a.m. with luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Albert’s name to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, local food pantries, CASA or St. Luke’s Extended Care Activities Dept.

The family extends much gratitude to the incredibly caring staff at St. Luke ECF for the loving and dignified care they bestowed upon Albert for the past five years. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.

Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.