Willis B. `Pete` Knowlton

ROCHESTER ? The funeral for Willis B. ?Pete? Knowlton will be 1:00 pm Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. William H. Otte officiating. Burial will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Mr. Knowlton, 83, of Rochester, died Sunday (May 14, 2006) at Charter House Hospice. He was born Sept. 20, 1922 in Plainview, MN and graduated from Rochester High School in 1941. He served in World War II as a Reconnaissance Scout for the 23rd. Army Corps. He married Kora E. Anderson on May 12, 1946 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester. He started Knowlton Weather-stripping and Caulking in 1950 and was active in the business until his retirement in 2001. Mrs. Knowlton worked as a secretary at Mayo Clinic. He was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was active in their various organizations, as well as serving as an usher. He was an artist, musician, poet, and skilled craftsman. His greatest joy was in spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife; two sons Rich (Katie) of Minneapolis, MN; Jim (Darci) of Inver Grove Heights, MN; four daughters Jaci (Jerry) Lillie of Blooming Prairie, MN; Corliss Tuttle of Duluth, MN; Suzi (Jeff) Burt of Blooming Prairie; and Julie (Kevin) Ellingson of Pine Island, MN; fifteen grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one sister, Jewell (Earl) Potvin of Rochester. He was preceded in death by his parents. Friends may call from 5 pm to 8 pm Wednesday at Mahn Family Funeral Home ? Rochester Chapel and an hour before the service Thursday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church, Alzheimer?s Association, or the Charter House Hospice.