Melvin John Knutson

Melvin J. Knutson, 59 of Fort Totten, ND passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks.

Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, March 20, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, March 21, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. There will be visitation one hour prior to the funeral Mass at the church on Friday. 

Melvin John Knutson, son of Merlyn “Bud” Knutson and Mary Jo (Charboneau) and Chuck Greywater was born on March 4, 1966, at the old Fort Totten Clinic, because there was a snowstorm that day and no travel possible.

He grew up on the Spirit Lake Nation, graduating from Four Winds High School with the class of 1984. Melvin began working at Dakota Tribal Industries at Fort Totten. This is where he learned his incredible mechanical skills. His talents took him to many parts of the country, including Wichita, Kansas, Hendersonville, North Carolina, Serta Mattress at Austin Texas, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Select Comfort while living in Salt Lake City, Utah. Along with his mechanical skills, he also did computer programming and reprogramming in the later years.

Melvin was united in marriage to Sandra Lara on October 3, 1998, and they were the proud parents of Johnathon and Estraya. In the early 2000’s, the family moved back to the Spirit Lake Nation where Melvin lived and worked until his passing. He worked at the Holiday Gas Station and now has been working in maintenance at Four Winds High School for many years. He was a treasured employee of the school and had many friends among the faculty and students.

Melvin was a Fire Fighter and First Responder with the Spirit Lake Fire Department and served as the Chief of the Fire Department at one time.

In his off-time, Melvin enjoyed woodworking and spent many hours fixing up his house. He especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Melvin is survived by his loving family: His children Estraya Knutson and Johnathon Knutson; grandchildren Aurora, Victoria and Luciano; brothers Raymond Buckles, Kenny Greywater, and Emery Greywater; sisters Marilyn (Phil) Knutson, Marcella (Pete} Longie, Kimberly Knutson, and Michelle (Gary) Reiger; uncles “Jr.” Anthony Charboneau, Richard Charboneau and Roger Charboneau Sr.; aunts Lorna Charboneau, Bernie Charboneau, Betty Charboneau and Cindy Hawk; many dear nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Merlyn “Baby” Knutson, grandparents, niece Shannon Buckles, nephew Merlyn Chad Buckles and several aunts and uncles.

Active Pallbearers: Edward Charboneau, Merlyn Knutson, Shane Moxness, Julian (Brien) Cavanaugh, Jr. Comer, Dwayne Charboneau, Kevin Charboneau and Joey Robertson.

Honorary Bearers: Four Winds Class of 1984, Four Winds School and Staff, Spirit Lake Fire Fighters, Charboneau Family, St. Clair Family, Lila, Camilla, and Pat Peltier Family, Desjarlais Family, Theresa Brien, Bruce Mindt, Kevin Mindt, Mary and Joe Azure, Ivan Lovejoy Family, Maria, Tia, Dominique (Brien) Cavanaugh, Donovan Robertson, Lane Adams and Melvin’s dear family and friends.

Sorry if we forgot anyone, it was not our intention. God Bless you all.