Obituary of Milton Knudsen

Milton Glenn Knudsen of Shamrock, SK passed away suddenly on October 11, 2016, at the age of 78 years. Milton was born on June 20, 1938, at St. Joseph Hospital in Gravelbourg, SK. He was the first child of Waldemar and Irene (nee Harris) Knudsen, and an older brother to Sandra. Milton grew up on a farm three miles northwest of Shamrock. He attended Bolingbroke School, which was two miles from the farm, and usually rode his horse, which would faithfully buck him off every time it rained. The family lived in New Westminster for a winter, and in 1947 moved into a new house they had built in Shamrock. Milton then attended Shamrock School. Throughout his school years, Milton spent a lot of time at the rink, riding his bike, hunting gophers and muskrats, playing hockey and ball, and being a member of the Shamrock 4-H Club. Milton helped to take care of the Shamrock outdoor skating rink for a few years and later drove west looking for work, getting jobs on road construction building bridges near Banff, AB. He also worked in the Knudsen Brothers Lumber Camp in northern Saskatchewan, and later served on the Credit Union Board for a few years. In the spring of 1961, Milton met the love of his life, Sylvia McInnis, and they were married on October 6, 1962. Milton had bought a section of land northwest of Shamrock, and throughout the summer and fall of that year Milton and his dad built a house on the land. Milton and Sylvia lived in a two room house in Shamrock until January, when they moved to their home on the farm. Milton and Sylvia were blessed with three children, Glenn, Mark, and Robin. Milton was very involved in his boys lives, coaching their hockey teams, being a 4-H leader, and teaching them how to hunt, fish, and canoe. Milton had a love and appreciation of nature, and found peace in the outdoors. He especially enjoyed the springtime, when the birds and geese would come back to the farm. Photography was a hobby that Milton enjoyed, and he took many pictures of nature, weddings, and family. Milton's happiest times were spent with his family and friends. He was always ready for a new adventure, and enjoyed planning new holidays. Milton and Sylvia loved to travel and attend entertainment together. They went on many holidays together, exploring beaches, snorkeling, and skiing. Milton played hockey, curled, and was always working on a project in his shop. He was an excellent carpenter, mechanic, welder, and machinist, and used his knowledge daily when fixing machinery on the farm. Milton was a quiet, patient, humble man, and was always thoughtful in his choice of words. He was a man of great integrity and compassion, and was honest to the core. Milton lived his faith quietly and chose to demonstrate by example. His faith helped him raise three beautiful sons whom he was very proud of, and to seed a crop every year and put it in God's hands to let it grow. Milton will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Milton is survived by his loving family, wife of 54 years Sylvia Knudsen; son Glenn (Colette) Knudsen; son Mark (Natalie) Knudsen; son Robin (Audrey) Knudsen; grandchildren Jamie (Kris) Heistad, Trent Knudsen (Jenna Kazeil), Marissa Knudsen, Brittany (Dan) Doka, Seanna Knudsen, Julie Knudsen, Eric Knudsen, Brett Knudsen; great granddaughter Dylan Heistad; sister Sandra (Larry) Costley; brother-in-law Ronald (Linda) McInnis; brother-in-law Lorne McInnis (Iris Craig); and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his sister-in-law Donna McInnis; father and mother Waldemar and Irene Knudsen; father and mother-in-law Don and Audrey McInnis. Funeral Service was held on Monday, October 17, 2016 at 1:00 pm, at the Shamrock Community Hall. Officiant was Reverend David Moore. Readers were Marissa Knudsen and Audrey Knudsen. The eulogy was shared by Ken Bush. Picture Tribute was prepared by Brittany Doka. Pallbearers were Ken McInnis, Terri-Lynn Andrychuk, Brent McInnis, Greg McInnis, Troy McInnis, Angela Costley, Tanya May, and Jody Costley. Interment took place at the Shamrock Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Milton to the Shamrock Community Hall, Box 118, Shamrock, SK S0H 3W0 or the Canadian Cancer Society for Prostate Cancer Research, 1910 McIntyre St., Regina, SK S4P 2R3, were greatly appreciated.