Neil W. Knutson

Neil was born November 17, 1931, on a farm near Wilsonville, NE. He was the second oldest of six children born to Ward Glen Knutson and Thelma Gueck Knutson growing up on farmland near Wilsonville and Hendley, NE. Neil graduated from Beaver City High School in 1949. On December 20, 1951, Neil married Gladys Melissa Orvis of Wilsonville, NE. Married life began on Ward Rice’s farm south of Wilsonville.

In May of 1952, Neil received his draft notice to join the U.S. Army but instead opted to join the U.S. Navy. He went to boot camp in San Diego, CA, where Gladys joined him. Neil advanced to the U.S. Navy Enginemen school. This is where the Lord truly blessed Neil, and he learned a talent that he never knew existed. An Engineman is responsible for operating, maintaining and repairing a ship’s internal combustion engines, diesel engines and so much more. Neil was then transferred to Key West Florida to be stationed on a submarine chaser. The Lord was very good to him in his four years in the Navy and came out as Engineman 1st Class Petty Officer.

Upon Neil's discharge from the Navy, he returned to NE and went to work for a farmer south of Wilsonville. With the skills Neil had learned in the Navy, he made a decision to move to Denver, CO. Finding work as a mechanic in a truck shop was only the beginning for Neil. He went into a business partnership, first with a repair shop and later sand and gravel trucks. Neil then became a Service Manager for 14 years at Denver Dodge Truck Center and then became a Maintenance Manager for Waste Management for 12 years. Neil’s children will always respect the hard work their father did to provide for his family. Neil retired in December 1994. Gladys, Neil’s wife of 43 years, passed away on April 27, 1995. Neil met and married Joyce Ross in 1996 and they would have been married 30 years in January of 2026.

Neil is survived by his spouse, Joyce Knutson. His five children Gary Knutson, Patti Squires (Bruce), Terry Knutson (Teri), Randy Knutson (Georgia) and Candace Mauro (Gary). He is survived by his grandchildren Pat Richter, Jake Knutson, Tim Knutson, Casey Knutson, Desiree Robinson, Melissa Bass, Derek Knutson, Cody Knutson, Nick Mauro and Chance Mauro. He is also survived by great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Neil is best known for his strong faith in the Lord, his love for his family, and his work ethic. In Neils spare time he loved fishing, camping and gardening.