Mads H. Knutsen, 79, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Wednesday morning, December 13, 2006 at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic. Mads Hans Knutsen was bon October 16, 1927, in rural Audubon County, Iowa, the son of Alfred and Edna Christina (Christensen) Knutsen. He attended country school in Aububon County. Mads honorably served his country with four years in the United States Army, during the Korean War. On November 19, 1953, Mads married Vernice A. Bannister in Atlantic, Iowa. He was a life-long resident of Cass and Audubon Counties. For the majority of his life, Mads farmed and had herds of milk cows. He also was a heavy equipment operator in Audubon County as well as working on road construction crews. Mads was of the Lutheran faith. He loved to dance and enjoyed country music, as well as fishing. However, his main love and joy came from spending time with his family, children, grandchildren, and of course his wife, Vernice. He is survived by his wife, Vernice of Atlantic, Iowa; three sons, Terry Knutsen and his wife, Lisa of Exira, Iowa, Tim Knutsen and his wife, Judy of Bancroft, Nebraska, Todd Knutsen and his wife, Barb of Atlantic, Iowa; two daughters, Bertha Crawley and her husband, Pat and Bonnie Knutsen, all of Atlantic, Iowa; a brother, Carl Knutsen and his wife, Darlene of Atlantic, Iowa; two sisters, Betty Esbeck of Atlantic, Iowa and Lovie and her husband, Roy Andersen of North Liberty, Iowa; 15 grandchildren, Darrick, Erick, Trever, Veronica, Tessa, Tom, Tony, Steven, Sarah, Alan, Dustin, Christina, Tiffany, Tyler, and Justin; eight great-grandchildren, Lexi, Logan, Patrick, Brennan, Brecker, Carson, Tucker, and Wrangler. Mads is also survived by five brothers-in-law, Richard Bannister and his wife, Yoko of Tallahasse , Florida, Orville Bannister and his wife, Lois of Grimes, Iowa, Raymond Bannister and his wife, Maxine of San Lorenzo, California, Harry Hughes of Lewis, Iowa, Paul Clifford of Atlantic, Iowa, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mads was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Edna "Christina" Knutsen; his parents-in-law, Frank and Bertha Bannister; a sister, Mary Ann Petty; three brothers-in-law, Merrill Petty, Bob Bannister and Mervin Bannister; three sisters-in-law, Dorothy Hughes, Ruby Jean Knutsen and Juanita Clifford. Also preceding him were two nieces, Connie Marshall and Penny Sellars. A memorial service and gathering, will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, December 16, 2006, at Hockenberry Family Care with the Reverend Leon Hodges officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Mads' loving grandchildren. The family will be present to greet their friends one hour prior to the service. Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic is in charge of the arrangements.




(The Atlantic Newa Telegraph)Fri. Dec. 15 2006