Warner Knudson

June 18, 1937-Sept. 29, 2024

West Fargo

Surrounded by his children, Warner Alan Knudson passed away Sunday, September 29, at 87 years of age, in Bethany on University, Fargo.

Warner was born in Hillsboro, ND, June 18, 1937, to Cliff and Ethel (Fylken) Knudson. He was raised in Hillsboro and Berwick, graduating from Berwick High School in 1955. Warner attended North Dakota Agricultural College (now NDSU), earning a BS in Mechanized Agricultural Engineering in 1959. During his time at NDAC, Warner participated in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and began active duty in the Air Force upon graduation. He served as a weapons controller and was stationed in Fallon, Nevada, and Bethel, Alaska.

After completing his Air Force service as a Captain in 1963, Warner resumed farming with his parents in Berwick. In 1964, Dallas Wanberg returned from Norway and Sweden to take care of her ill mother and caught Warner’s eye. The first time he called her for a date, she said she was “cleaning out the furnace coal bin,” and couldn’t go. Luckily this was not just an excuse, and she agreed to a first date soon thereafter. They were engaged in December 1964, and married on Warner’s birthday, June 18, 1965. They resided on the family farm near Berwick. Their daughter, Alana, arrived on their first anniversary, daughter Alyssa arrived two days before their second anniversary, and son, Chad, two years later.

Warner farmed until he started working at the Minot Airport, retiring in 2005. He served in leadership roles for Berwick Township, Farmers Union, Berwick Lutheran Church, and Sons of Norway. Warner was regularly called upon by neighbors to troubleshoot problems and make necessary repairs, usually in exchange for a good cup of coffee and some fresh baked goods. He was known for photography and was often seen with a camera around his neck, memorializing countless events and people. Warner and Dallas volunteered for the U.S. Park Service and served as guides on Amtrak during the summer. They greatly enjoyed their travels, with multiple trips to Norway, a trip with Alana to see polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba, an Alaskan cruise, and Farmers Union trips to Branson, MO, as highlights. They especially cherished spending time with their grandchildren and seeing dear friends and family. In 2010, Warner and Dallas “moved south” to West Fargo.

Warner is survived by his children, Alana Knudson Gamache (Roland), Rockville, MD; Alyssa Knudson Arntsen (Erik), Duluth, MN; and Chad, West Fargo. Grandchildren: Emma and Ella Arntsen, Duluth, MN; Anna Arntsen, Boston, MA; Ben and Rachel Knudson, West Fargo; Patrick (Mary) and Brian (Reagan) Gamache, and Colleen (Mark) Bowles, Indianapolis, IN; Sister, Jean Baglien, Placentia, CA; and, Sister-in-law, Betty Peterson (Pete), Rochester, MN. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; in-laws, Terry Baglien; Rev. R.T. and Olga Wanberg; and Nordis, Richard, Larrie and Bjørg Wanberg.

A celebration of life was held at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby, on Wednesday, October 2, at 1 p.m., followed by full military honors and burial in the Berwick Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Towner. Memorials may be made to Berwick Lutheran Church Cemetery, Bethany on University in Fargo, or Cass County Meals on Wheels.

Published by The Pierce County Tribune, October 5, 2024.