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.