Leonard Knutson

Leonard Knutson, 85, noted builder and longtime resident of Columbia Falls, passed away Nov. 15, 2013.

Leonard was born in Cooperstown, N.D., on March 10, 1928, to Stark and Serena Knutson. After spending his childhood in Hannaford, N.D., the family moved to Anaconda where Leonard graduated from high school.

He enlisted in the Navy and was in China by age 17, sparking a lifelong interest in travel, which included trips across the United States as well as solo travel to places as varied as Costa Rica and New Zealand.

Arriving in the Flathead to work on Hungry Horse Dam, he met his wife, Roberta Schmidt, and began his long career in construction. Leonard built hundreds of private residences throughout Columbia Falls and surrounding communities and was responsible for such notable local structures as the Plum Creek Lumber Co. offices on Truck Route and the Glacier Bank building on Nucleus Avenue. His final project, a home for his then-new bride, Jeanie, was completed at age 79.

An active member of the community, Leonard served as a Columbia Falls city councilman and president of the Columbia Falls Chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

As leader of the Wildcat Booster Club, he was instrumental in the purchase and installation of many improvements at the high school track and football field. He also headed the drive to build a new sanctuary for Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and was a member of the Sons of Norway and the Columbia Falls Masonic Lodge.

He is survived by his wife Jeanie; sisters Edith and Irene; sons Jerry and Wayne; and grandsons VJ and Alexander.

A memorial service will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. A luncheon will then be served at Our Savior’s.