Lilburn Knutson

Lilburn Wesley "Libby" Knutson, 84, of Polson, died Nov. 4, 2018, at Polson Health and Rehab. He was born Dec. 3, 1933, in Polson, the third of six children of Henry Alfred and Mary Ida (Brown) Knutson.

He attended school in Polson and enlisted Jan. 4, 1951, in the U.S. Army. He served proudly in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was awarded the Bronze service star for his service. He was honorably discharged as a corporal on Dec. 1, 1953.

He married Patricia Ann Menzie on June 4, 1954 in Polson. They had three children, Karen, Wes and Wayne.
Libby worked several jobs in the Polson area, including, but not limited to, saw filer at Dupuis Lumber, laborer at the local tire shop, custodian at Cherry Valley School, school bus driver and night watchman.

In his spare time, he was a volunteer firefighter. He was very proud of his 23 years of service to the Polson Fire Department. He loved to hunt, fish, camp, and enjoyed being on a pit crew at stock car races. He loved to pit for his son, Wayne, during his racing years, and also took great joy in recent years watching his youngest granddaughter while she raced. He loved to while away the hours in his shop, joking and teasing with the large circle of friends who would drop in to visit.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Pat, and his brother, Ronald.

Survivors are his siblings, Ida Combs, Mesquite, Nev., Albert (Norma), Pablo, Wilburn "Clayton" (Marian), Missoula, and Ella Heinz, Mesquite, Nev. and his sister-in-law Barb, of Graham, Wash.; his children Karen (Bill) Ludwick, Wes (Dixie) and Wayne (Jeannie), all of Polson; 10 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren (with No. 20 on the way) and 1 great-great grandchild.

Services will be 1 p.m. Friday at the Lake Funeral Home and Crematory followed by burial with military honors at Lake View Cemetery. Viewing will be 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to a charity of the donor's choice.