Charles Knutson
Charles Allan Knutson
24 Dec 1937 - 14 Sep 2017
Clubs & Associations
Obituary
Charles Allan Knutson (Charlie) was born on December 24th, 1937 to Omer and Eleanor Knutson in Whitehall, Wisconsin, just in time for Christmas. He grew up in Blair, Wisconsin in a little farmhouse. Twelve years after he was born came his baby brother Orlin.
When Charlie was in 5th grade, a piano teacher named Flavianne Hanson came to Blair. With her arrival, his life took a significant turn in the direction of music. Charlie learned everything he could about music and became an accomplished piano player. By the time he was in high school, he was teaching piano lessons and playing for weddings, funerals, ensembles, parties and more.
Charlie was born to be a musician! His entire life was filled with music in one way or another – as a drum major, as a performer in plays, as a pianist in various bands and groups, as a choir director, as an instrumental and vocal music teacher, as a church organist and pianist, and as an elementary school music teacher.
Charlie worked in various school districts in Colorado during his 44 YEARS as a music teacher. He taught hundreds of students in that time and made an indelible impact on the students and the schools he worked with. In addition to his regular teaching duties, he brought in Orff instruments and created a movement and music lab, and even found grant money for a dance teacher. He put on epic school-wide music programs at all of his schools. He was tireless in his dedication to his craft and he loved his students and his colleagues, forming many collaborative relationships over the years.
Charlie was also a church organist and pianist throughout his life. He was a perfectionist when it came to his church music; he spent hours practicing trying to make it impeccable. He was always gratified when people commented on the music or noticed his hard work.
If you knew Charlie at all, you knew he loved Norway and all things Norwegian (yes even Ludefisk). His love of Norway began when he started visiting his relatives in 1968 and it continued for the rest of his life. He studied at the University of Oslo up until he was in his 70’s, passing all the levels of Norwegian language classes and becoming so fluent that he began to teach Norwegian classes in Colorado.
As if learning Norwegian wasn’t enough, while in Norway he studied Norwegian folk music and gave concerts at the University of Oslo. He also did extensive research on his family lineage and staged a huge reunion in Norway with all of his Norwegian relatives.
Charlie was incredibly social. If he met you for two minutes you were probably fast friends afterwards. He was actively involved in many social activities, clubs and groups for his entire life. He was especially proud to be part of the Rocky Mountain Rainbeaus and the PrimeTimers. Charlie also loved to dance! If there was a dance floor at any event, you would find him on it.
Charlie is survived by his former spouse Mary Isabella, his daughters Kari Knutson and Kim Terry and four grandchildren as well as his brother Orlin Knutson and his family, Paula his wife and their two daughters Paige Hake and Alexis Knutson and two grandsons and in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved him.
In lieu of flowers or donations, please pick up the phone and call someone who you’ve been meaning to call, smile at a stranger, give someone a hug, enjoy any kind of music, find ways to reach out to people, savor a good meal with a friend, thank your local church organist, and if you are feeling up for it, learn some Norwegian. He would love all of that. If you would like to memorialize him, you can make a donation to any organization in his name.[1]
Memorial Panel
- 2LL | Rocky Mountain Rainbeaus
Photos
At Weave The Rose, 1998
Obituary photo
