Darwin R. Knudtson, 89, of Moline, Illiois, formerly of Geneseo, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, at his home. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Moline. The Rev. Wilfred Karsten will officiate. A luncheon will follow the church service. Burial at Oakwood Cemetery in Geneseo will take place immediately after the luncheon. Military honors will be accorded by Don Cherry Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory in the Geneseo chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to their favorite charities: St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Holy Cross Lutheran Church or Bethesda Lutheran Home.

Darwin was born June 3, 1930, the son of Otis and Emma (Larson) Knudtson in Bricelyn. He graduated from Albert Lea High School. He married Rita Brand on Feb. 19, 1954. She preceded him in death in 1993. He later married Donna York on Sept. 24, 1994.

He proudly served in the United States Army.

Darwin started Knudtson Potato Farm Inc. in rural Geneseo in 1959 and the business is still in operation today. Darwin was very active in the community. He served as a deacon at Concordia Lutheran Church in Geneseo. He was also a board member for Rural Electrification Administration Farmers Mutual Electric, Henry County Farm Bureau, National Potato Board, Good Samaritan Society and for many years on the Central Bank board. He enjoyed flying his airplane, square and ballroom dancing, and traveling. He built his own cabin at Oak Run and enjoyed his time there.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Donna; children Dean (Pat) Knudtson of Geneseo, Paula (Eugene) Moller of Colona, Illinois, Julie Knudtson of Davenport, Iowa, and Sandra (Greg) Peugh of West Plaines, Missouri; step-children Kevin (Michelle) Waugaman of Moline, Eric (Sandy) Waugaman of Anchorage, Alaska, and Andrea (Clint) Baker of Bettendorf, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brother, Robert (Marlene) Knudtson, of Florida; sister, Gloria Kallstrom, of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Otis and Emma; his wife, Rita; son, David; four brothers; and three sisters.

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