The funeral service for Kernel Knudson will be held Wednesday, July 29 at 11a.m. at Cross of Glory Lutheran Church, Hartland. Rev. Dr. Mark Hillmer will officiate. Interment will be in Hartland Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at church.
Kernel died July 25, 2015 at Prairie Senior Cottages, Albert Lea, surrounded by his family. He was 16 days shy of his 90th birthday.
Kernel was born on August 10, 1925, on the Knudson farm homesteaded by his grandfather, Kittel, to Carl and Clara (Thofson) Knudson. He attended country school and graduated salutatorian from Freeborn High School, giving up his scholarship to the University of Minnesota because of family responsibilities.
Kernel will be remembered as a patient, kind man who always thought of others before himself. His deep faith in God led him to accept duties and obligations wherever he saw a need. After the death of his father and when his mother could no longer care for her family of eight children, Kernel took over the primary care of the home and farm. With help from uncles and aunts, he was able to keep the family together and see them graduate from high school, some from college, and have families of their own. He then married Elizabeth (Beth) Wakefield and was the proud father of two daughters, Kathryn and Rachel.Kernel farmed most of his life, then worked five years at Canterbury Downs. After retirement he worked part time for Hi Yield Products in Hartland. Involvement with his church, community, and county was of much importance to him. He has served Cross of Glory Lutheran Church in many ways, as a Sunday School teacher, funeral usher, council member, and on the building committee. He was involved in 4-H as a member and leader, in FFA, earning the American Farmer Award, the Minnesota Star Farmer, and Skelly Awards, and active in Freeborn County Rural Youth. He was a board member of the Hartland Town Board as clerk, Freeborn County Zoning and Planning Commission, Selective Service Board, and Manchester-Hartland Telephone Board.
Kernel is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, daughters Kathryn (husband Noah Barton) and Rachel (fiancé Martin Johnson), and six siblings: Curtis, New Port Richey, Florida, Ernest (Arlene), Houston, Ellie Becker, Hutchinson, Janet (Corry) McDermott, Albert Lea, Linda Patschke, New Richland, and Norlie, Hartland. He is survived by sisters-in-law, Marilyn Anderson, Prior Lake, and Sharon Wakefield, Albert Lea, brothers-in-law Wayne (Shirley) Wakefield, St. Paul, Frank Wakefield, Albert Lea, and Keith (Dr. Shelley) Wakefield, Burnsville. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, godchildren, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Alert, parents-in-law Merle and Ardis Wakefield, brothers-in-law Clyde Wakefield, Carl Patschke, David Anderson, and Charles Becker, sisters-in-law Lillian Knudson, Betty Knudson, and Evelyn Wakefield and niece, Heather Wakefield.
Kernel’s family would like to thank all of the family and friends who assisted with care during Kernel’s journey with the disease of dementia. Special thanks to the wonderful caring staff at Prairie Senior Cottages and St. Croix Hospice. Any journey is made easier by the prayers and love of those who care.