Memorial services for Clayton Fordyce Knudson, age 76, of Albert Lea, will be at 11 am, Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at the First Baptist Church. The Rev. Clayton Balsley will officiate. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the time of the service at the church. Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Clayton died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, September 22, 2006 at the Albert Lea Medical Center.

Clayton Fordyce Knudson was born on September 10, 1930 in St. James, the oldest of four sons born to Clarence and Frances (Paulson) Knudson, of Comfrey.

The first eight years of his education were spent at District 76 Country School, rural Comfrey. He was confirmed at the Albion Lutheran Church, rural St. James. During Clay&8217;s high school years he lived and worked with his uncle and aunt, helping them with chores and farming. In 1949, Clay graduated from Comfrey High School.

From 1952 to 1956, Clay served in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed in Korea for 15 months on K9 guard duty. Airplanes were always very special to him. The last job he had in the Air Force was guarding B36 bombers at Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, S.D.

Clayton met his sweetheart, Jennetta Allen, in October 1955 at the Kato Ballroom in Mankato.

They were married in July of the following year. At that time he was going to vocational school for car body repair. They lived in Mankato where Clay worked as a car body repairman until 1967. They had four children born to them, two boys and two girls. In 1968, Clay and his family moved to Albert Lea.

He worked in different body shops for several years. After that, he worked with the District 241 schools as a maintenance man for 23 years. In his retirement he did work for Chore Services. Clay also did on location car body repair for people.

Clayton had a very strong faith in God and taught Sunday School at First Baptist Church for many years. He very much loved singing in the church choir. The men&8217;s group at the church was another of his favorite things to be a part of. Family vacations were special; he enjoyed the Minnesota Twins, fishing with his brother-in-law, and watching Andy Griffith and Walker Texas Ranger on TV.

He especially enjoyed patriotic and Christian music. Clay was very much a people person and loved to visit.

Survivors include his wife Jennetta, children Kayla (Palmer) Christenson, Kipton (Vickie) Knudson, Koleen Knudson and fianc/e Chuck Davis, and Kent (Shannon) Knudson; grandchildren Jeremiah and fianc/ Michelle, Rebekah, Alexander, Jackson, and Amber; great-grandchildren Ragan, Caitlyn, and Kalob; brothers Douglas (Mary) Knudson and Donald Knudson; and many nieces and nephews.

Clayton was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Roger.