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
Luther College, Decorah, Iowa; A.B.; 1951, also listed as a B.A.William Mitchell College of Law; LL.B.; 1959
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
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.
The photos in this collection were scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library, and are included in the Minnesota Reflections collection.