Raymond Knutson
January 26, 1952 – September 23, 2026
Raymond Knutson was born January 26, 1952, the second of a set of twins (in a family of six children) born to Alfred and Gertrude Knutson at the Spalding Union hospital in Spalding, SK. He lived most of his life in the Spalding area.
He attended a country school, Champlain school, for the first 5 grades of his education and the remainder in Spalding, graduating grade 12 in June 1970. After graduation he enrolled in the Vocational Agriculture program at the University of Saskatchewan, graduating in the spring of 1972.
In 1976, while attending an ELCC convention, he was introduced to Sharon Hafso. They were married at Zion Lutheran church in Saskatoon on July 30,1977. Their daughter, Kirsten, was born in June 1978. Their son, Nathaniel, was born in February 1980.
In the fall of 1978, they moved to Saskatoon where Ray was enrolled in a Farm Machinery Mechanics program at Kelsey SIAST. In the summer he was employed at Jarvie Farm equipment of Saskatoon. A highlight while working there was that he was cast in a television commercial for the Farm Parts Store next door to Jarvie which aired on CFQC later that year. Upon graduation in 1980, Ray and Sharon moved to Naicam, Sask. Ray was employed by John-Bob Farm Equipment in Tisdale for the summer and fall of 1980 but decided to return to farming in the spring. In 1990, Ray went back to school and enrolled in a Parts Management Technician course at Kelsey campus again for the winter months. Following completion, he returned to farming but retired from that in the spring of 1996.
Fulfilling a lifelong dream, in May 1996, he took a job as combine operator/truck driver for Omni Operations of Watson, Sask., a custom combining operation. Ray worked for Omni for the next three summers from mid-May till late November, early December.
In December 1996 he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He recovered enough to continue going combining which he dearly loved doing.
In 1997 Ray and Sharon moved to Saskatoon. After the custom combining came to an end, Ray worked as a hired man for farming operations around Saskatoon. In the spring of 2000, he was hired by Hermco Operations. He would work for Alvin and Erin Herman in various capacities until December of 2008 when he went on Permanent Disability after breaking his right leg at work. Ray was diagnosed with Leukemia in the spring of 2006.
Ray liked to play in different sports such as hockey, curling and touch football. Ray was always known for his physical strength in school & for years after.
Ray loved gardening & experimenting with new varieties and methods. In later years he worked on tracking the genealogy of his family.
He enjoyed attending his grandson’s sporting events.
He served on many boards and committees in the church and community in both Spalding & Naicam. He was active in Rock of Ages church as a trustee after moving to Saskatoon. He served on the Sask Wheat Pool committee in Spalding for 24 years. He attended the Wheat Pool Annual meetings in Regina as a guest on two occasions.
He was predeceased by his parents, Alfred & Gertrude (nee Frattinger)); his in-laws Henry & Irene (nee Anderson) Hafso; his grandparents, Arne & Clara (nee Dahl) Knutson; Gervais & Guillaumette (nee LeBorgne) Frattinger: brother-in-law James Berggren; sister in-law Ann (nee Crouse) Hafso.
Ray is survived by his wife Sharon, daughter Kirsten, son Nathaniel (Renee), grandsons Asher, Dagan & Enzo, sisters Ruth (Bryan)Jeannotte, Alice Berggren & Vina (Bryan)Johnson, brothers Clifford (Nancy)Knutson & Peter (Marlis)Knutson; brothers-in-law Donald (Coco) Hafso, Vernon (Jan) Hafso; sister-in-law Linda (Rick) Bartling; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins & friends.
Blessed be his memory!
A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held at Rock of Ages Lutheran Brethren Church, 130 Kingsmere Place, Saskatoon, on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 1:00 pm. To watch the live stream please click on the link below.
CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STREAM LINK OF THE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE LATE RAYMOND KNUTSON
(A link will be posted once available from the church.)
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Rock of Ages Lutheran Brethren Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.
