Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature
Skip Navigation Links
  • LRL Home
    • >
  • Legislators Past & Present
    • >
  • Member Record
    • Legislators Past & Present Home

    Knutson, Howard A.

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 1967-72 (District 12B); Senate 1973-82 (District 53); Senate 1983-90 (District 38)

    Party when first elected:  Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus

    Counties Served:  Dakota

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 5/16/1929
    Birth Place: Grand Forks, North Dakota
    Birth County:
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death: 10/1/2006
    Gender: Male
    Religion: Lutheran
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names:
    City of Residence (when first elected): Burnsville
    Occupation (when first elected): Lawyer, Firm of Bergman and Knutson

    EDUCATION

    Luther College, Decorah, Iowa; A.B.; 1951, also listed as a B.A.
    William Mitchell College of Law; LL.B.; 1959

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    Municipal Board/Commission: Burnsville, Minnesota (City Industrial Planning Commission); 19?? to 19??
    Military: United States Army; 1951 to 1953

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Jerroldine "Jerry" (married around 1958)
    Children: Five children (two adopted): David L., Douglas "Doug," and Eric (sons); Annette, and Amy (adopted daughters)
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
    David L. Knutson  - Son

    GENERAL NOTES

    Special Legislative Concerns: health, welfare, corrections, education.

    He grew up in Glencoe, Minnesota.

    He sought the Independent-Republican endorsement for the United States Congress in 1974.

    He sought the Independent Republican endorsement for Minnesota Governor in the 1978 election; then changed course and ran for the endorsement for Minnesota Attorney General. He lost the Attorney General's race to Warren Spannaus.

    He was a member of the Republican Party.

    He died, at home, from Alzheimer's disease and multiple myeloma cancer. His funeral was held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, Minnesota.

    He was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, Minnesota.

    Religion provided by the Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1977-78 and the Catholic Bulletin, 3/21/1975.

    Most recent term photo
    Click to view
    Total Days Served: 8771

    SESSIONS SERVED

    76th Legislative Session (1989-1990) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/3/1989
    Body: Senate
    District: 38
    Elected: 11/4/1986
    Residence: Burnsville
    Term of Office: 1/5/1987 to 1/6/1991
    Oath Date: 1/6/1987
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Attorney
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Education
    • Education: Education Funding Division
    • Education: Higher Education Division
    • Finance
    • Finance: Health and Human Services Division
    • Health and Human Services
    • Health and Human Services: Welfare Reform
    • Rules and Administration
    • Rules and Administration: Bill Referral

    75th Legislative Session (1987-1988)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/6/1987
    Body: Senate
    District: 38
    Elected: 11/4/1986
    Residence: Burnsville
    Term of Office: 1/5/1987 to 1/6/1991
    Oath Date: 1/6/1987
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Attorney
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Education
    • Education: Education Aids Division
    • Education: Higher Education Division
    • Finance
    • Finance: Health and Human Services Division
    • Health and Human Services
    • Health and Human Services: Welfare Reform Division
    • Rules and Administration
    • Rules and Administration: Bill Referral

    74th Legislative Session (1985-1986) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/8/1985
    Body: Senate
    District: 38
    Elected: 11/2/1982
    Residence: Burnsville
    Term of Office: 1/3/1983 to 1/4/1987
    Oath Date: 1/4/1983
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Attorney
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Education
    • Education: Education Aids
    • Finance
    • Finance: Education
    • Finance: Health and Human Services
    • Health and Human Services
    • Health and Human Services: State Institutions
    • Rules and Administration
    • Rules and Administration: Bill Referral
    • Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
    term photo
    Click to view

    73rd Legislative Session (1983-1984)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/4/1983
    Body: Senate
    District: 38
    Elected: 11/2/1982
    Residence: Burnsville
    Term of Office: 1/3/1983 to 1/4/1987
    Oath Date: 1/4/1983
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Attorney
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Education
    • Education: Education Aids
    • Finance
    • Finance: Education
    • Finance: Health and Human Services
    • Health and Human Services
    • Health and Human Services: State Institutions
    • Rules and Administration
    • Rules and Administration: Bill Referral
    • Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules

    72nd Legislative Session (1981-1982)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/6/1981
    Body: Senate
    District: 53
    Elected: 11/4/1980
    Residence: Burnsville
    Term of Office: 1/5/1981 to 1/2/1983
    Oath Date: 1/6/1981
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Attorney, Private Practice
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Finance
    • Finance: Health, Welfare and Corrections
    • Governmental Operations
    • Health, Welfare and Corrections
    • Rules and Administration
    • Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
    Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader
    term photo
    Click to view

    71st Legislative Session (1979-1980) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/3/1979
    Body: Senate
    District: 53
    Elected: 11/2/1976
    Residence: Burnsville
    Term of Office: 1/3/1977 to 1/4/1981
    Oath Date: 1/4/1977
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Attorney; Bergman, Knutson, Street, and Ullmen Law Firm
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Education
    • Education: Education Aids
    • Education: Educational Organization
    • Education: Post-Secondary and Higher Education
    • Education: Special Programs
    • Governmental Operations
    • Governmental Operations: Metropolitan Affairs-1979
    • Governmental Operations: Metropolitan Government-1980
    • Health, Welfare and Corrections
    • Judiciary
    • Judiciary: Law Reform
    Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

    70th Legislative Session (1977-1978)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/4/1977
    Body: Senate
    District: 53
    Elected: 11/2/1976
    Residence: Burnsville
    Term of Office: 1/3/1977 to 1/4/1981
    Oath Date: 1/4/1977
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Attorney; Bergman, Knutson, Street, and Ulmen Law Firm
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Education
    • Education: Post-Secondary and Higher Education
    • Education: Special Programs
    • Governmental Operations
    • Governmental Operations: Metro Affairs
    • Health, Welfare and Corrections
    • Judiciary
    • Judiciary: Law Reform
    Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader
    term photo
    Click to view

    69th Legislative Session (1975-1976) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/7/1975
    Body: Senate
    District: 53
    Elected: 11/7/1972
    Residence: Burnsville
    Term of Office: 1/1/1973 to 1/2/1977
    Oath Date: 1/2/1973
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Lawyer; Firm of Bergman, Knutson, Street & Ulmen
    Party: Nonpartisan Election-Independent Republican Caucus
    Committees:
    • Health, Welfare and Corrections
    • Health, Welfare and Corrections: Institutional Closings
    • Health, Welfare and Corrections: Welfare
    • Judiciary
    • Judiciary: Judicial Administration
    • Judiciary: Public Law Reform
    • Metropolitan and Urban Affairs
    • Metropolitan and Urban Affairs: Operations and Structure

    68th Legislative Session (1973-1974)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/2/1973
    Body: Senate
    District: 53
    Elected: 11/7/1972
    Residence: Burnsville
    Term of Office: 1/1/1973 to 1/2/1977
    Oath Date: 1/2/1973
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Lawyer; Firm of Bergman, Knutson, Street and Ulmen
    Party: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
    Committees:
    • Health, Welfare and Corrections
    • Health, Welfare and Corrections: Welfare
    • Judiciary
    • Judiciary: Judicial Administration
    • Judiciary: Judiciary
    • Metropolitan and Urban Affairs
    • Metropolitan and Urban Affairs: Metropolitan Transportation
    term photo
    Click to view

    67th Legislative Session (1971-1972)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/5/1971
    Body: House
    District: 12B
    Elected: 11/3/1970
    Residence: Burnsville
    Term of Office: 1/4/1971 to 12/31/1972
    Oath Date: 1/5/1971
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Lawyer; Firm of Bergman, Knutson, Street and Ulmen
    Party: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
    Committees:
    • Commerce and Economic Development
    • Education
    • Environmental Preservation
    • Ethics (Chair)
    • Health, Welfare and Corrections
    • Insurance
    • Judiciary

    66th Legislative Session (1969-1970)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/7/1969
    Body: House
    District: 12B
    Elected: 11/5/1968
    Residence: Burnsville
    Term of Office: 1/6/1969 to 1/3/1971
    Oath Date: 1/7/1969
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Lawyer; Firm of Bergman, Knutson, Street and Ulmen
    Party: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
    Committees:
    • Claims
    • County and Township Government
    • Education
    • Health and Welfare
    • Insurance
    • Judiciary
    • Land and Water Resources
    term photo
    Click to view

    65th Legislative Session (1967-1968)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/3/1967
    Body: House
    District: 12B
    Elected: 11/8/1966
    Residence: Burnsville
    Term of Office: 1/2/1967 to 1/5/1969
    Oath Date: 1/3/1967
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Lawyer, Firm of Bergman and Knutson
    Party: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
    Committees:
    • Cities of the Second and Third Class
    • Claims
    • Financial Institutions
    • Game and Fish
    • Insurance and Securities
    • Judiciary
    • Metropolitan and Urban Affairs

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Articles & Books About

    News Sources

    The Library maintains newspaper clippings on individual legislators during their terms. Clippings are available from 1973 to the present in a variety of formats: 1973-1999, microfiche available at the Library; 2000-2009, scanned in yearly compilations and digitally available on the legislative network; 2009-present, archived in a searchable database maintained by the Library and available on the legislative network.
    These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

    Photographs

    Senator John Marty, Senator Howard Knutson, and Senator Mel Frederick confer in the Senate Chamber, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1987. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.
    Portrait of Howard A. Knutson. c. 1973. Photo credit: Minnesota Senate.
    Senator John Chenoweth, Senator Harmon Ogdahl, Senator Joe O'Neill, and Senator Howard Knutson discuss legislation on the Senate floor, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1973-1976. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

    Legislators Past & Present Home