Arlen Ray Knutson, 60, of Blooming Prairie, died peacefully at his home Monday morning, Oct. 4, 2010. He was born May 7, 1950, to Orville and Helen Knutson in Owatonna. Arlen grew up in Westfield Township and graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1968. After serving in Vietnam, he returned home and went into the family drainage business with his brothers. He married Linda Marie (Madsen) Knutson on Nov. 16, 1974, in Blooming Prairie. They made their home in rural Blooming Prairie where they lived for 36 years. A member of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and First Lutheran Church, Arlen enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, farming and tinkering. He also loved spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Knutson of Blooming Prairie; one daughter, Rachel Marie Knutson of Roseville; two sons: Christopher Ray Knutson of Chicago, Ill., and Eric Scott Knutson of Rochester; two granddaughters: Hannah and Abigail Knutson; three brothers: Robert (Sharon) Knutson of Owatonna, Arthur Knutson of Higley, Ariz., and Gary Knutson of Kasson; four sisters: Janice (Larry) Johnson of St. Peter, Donna Herzog of Owatonna, Carol (Glenn) Kruckeberg of Claremon and Audrey Krupicka of Owatonna; brother-in-law, Dale Madsen of Blooming Prairie; sisters-in-law: Diane (Paul) Stollard of Geneva and Jeanne Madsen of International Falls; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers-in-law: Randy Krupicka, Duane Herzog and Steven Madsen; sister-in-law, Cindy Madsen.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie with the Rev. Charlie Leonard and the Rev. Heidi Heimgartner officiating.  Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home and at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment is at Westfield Lutheran Cemetery in Blooming Prairie with military rites by Blooming Prairie American Legion Post 52. The family prefers memorials to Disabled American Veterans and Westfield Cemetery Restoration. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.