ROBERT KNUDSON

Robert “Bob” Edward Knudson, age 87 of Rush City, MN, passed away on Monday, November 10, 2025. Born on January 26, 1938, in Chatfield, MN, Bob lived a life filled with love, kindness, and generosity.

Bob graduated from Braham High School (Class of 1956) before attending St. Cloud State College (Class of 1960), where he studied Language Arts and Social Studies Education and graduated with honors. He received a Master of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota in Reading and School Administration (Class of 1963). From 1957 to 1963, he served in the U.S. Army and the Army Reserve. He spent his career teaching English, social studies, reading, and speech in the Mounds View School District. Staff and students will remember him as a teacher who was happy to stay after school to provide extra support, always had a great story to share, and whose listening ear always made them feel important. He was passionate about serving his community’s youth as a Little League baseball coach, Sunday School teacher, Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor, and school yearbook, newspaper, and photography club advisor.

Bob’s hobbies and interests included literature and poetry, theater, the outdoors, wood carving, drawing, cars, motorcycles, tractors, and Juicy Fruit gum. He was a devoted family man who brought baskets of books to give away at every holiday and always showed up early to spend special one-on-one time with his granddaughters. Above all, family was most important to him.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Anna (McGuire) Knudson, and son, John Robert Knudson.

He is survived by his children: Elizabeth Ann Hartman and Edward Arthur (Tami) Knudson; grandchildren: Lauren, Brooke, Alea, and Charlotte; brother, Lyle Knudson; first wife, Sonja (Carlson) Knudson; and second wife, Judy Hegstrom.

We feel deeply fortunate to have been blessed with such a wonderful father, grandfather, brother, and husband, and we will always remember his calm, patience, and loving demeanor.

No funeral service is planned at this time.

Family will celebrate his life privately, sharing memories and enjoying a piece of Juicy Fruit gum in his honor.

Please think of Bob this winter while you are curled up reading a good book.

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