Theodore "Ted" Knudsen

With family by his side, Theodore Gabriel Knudsen, age 76, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2024, at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

A funeral service will be held at Bethania Lutheran Church in Rosholt, SD, on Friday, August 16, 2024, at 1:00 pm with Pastor Nancy Quatier officiating. Ruby Larsen will provide musical accompaniment. Visitation will be at Bethania beginning at noon.

Interment with military honors provided by the Leo American Legion Post 48 of Rosholt and the Read Veflin American Legion Post 180 of New Effington will take place at Brandvold Cemetery immediately following the service. After interment, a reception will be held at Bethania.

Ted Knudsen was born on January 10, 1948, in Breckenridge, MN, to Ray and Mable (Rennerfeldt) Knudsen. He grew up on the family farm located five miles north of Victor on the North and South Dakota border. Ted attended country school at Lien #1 for six years before going to "town school" in Rosholt, where he was a member of the class of 1966. During his time in high school, Ted excelled in athletics. He was a member of the powerhouse Rams football teams of the 1960s, and he was an excellent basketball player and track athlete. Ted was also a talented musician. He played baritone in the school band, sang in the chorus, and played piano and guitar.

Ted completed one year of studies at Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD, before enlisting in the Army on September 6, 1967. He attended basic training in Fort Lewis, WA, advanced individual training (Tiger Land) in Fort Polk, LA, and airborne school in Fort Benning, GA. Ted was assigned as an infantryman to Company A, 2nd Battalion (Airborne) 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade and served in Vietnam from April 1968 to April 1969. His awards and decorations include two Purple Hearts for wounds received in battle, two Bronze Stars (one with "V" device for heroism in ground combat), the Air Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. Ted was honorably discharged in April 1969 having achieved the rank of sergeant.

In June of 1969, Ted married his high school classmate Lois Alsaker in Rosholt, SD, and resumed his studies at Northern State College. He graduated in 1972 and began his education career in Rosholt. He went on to serve in positions as teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent in Gregory, SD; Wessington, SD; Crofton, NE; Bowdle, SD; and Elgin, ND. Following Ted's retirement, Lois and he moved to Burnsville, MN.

Ted loved life and lived it to its fullest. He was an excellent bowler who was recognized in the July 22, 1991, issue of Sports Illustrated for bowling two straight 300 games in a 9-pin no-tap tournament. At one point, he had 28 strikes in a row. Ted loved to sing, especially gospel hymns and often with Lois accompanying on the piano. He was a fan of all genres of music and would often subject his children to artists ranging from Zamfir (and his magic pan flute) to George Winston. These artists and others made long road trips for holiday gatherings feel much, much longer.

Ted was an avid golfer, and the first thing he would pack for superintendents' meetings was his clubs. He loved his time at the cabin on Pickerel Lake, rising at dawn and sitting on the dock with his ever-present cup of coffee. Ted was also a die-hard Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Bulls fan. He suffered for decades before finally seeing them all win championships. Ted was an outgoing, gregarious man with a quick wit and tremendous sense of humor. He could captivate a room with his presence and stories.

Ted was preceded in death by parents, Ray and Mable; and brother, Ken.

Survivors include his wife, Lois; brothers, Jim (Phyllis) and Curt (Tonya); sister-in-law, Barbara; children, Aaron (Birgit) of Sammamish, WA, Jason (Jill Danburg) of Minneapolis, MN, and Annie (Travis Holcomb-Faye) of Winston-Salem, NC; and grandchildren, Danny (Shyrle) Batterton of North Bend, WA, and Julienne, Parker and Sydney Knudsen of Minneapolis, MN.

In lieu of flowers, Ted requested contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.