Kevin Dean Knutson, 69, of Letcher, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024. 

A visitation was held on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell. A Celebration of Life was held on Monday, April 22, at the Letcher Community Center.

Kevin was born on Oct. 23, 1954, to Darwin and Arlene (Edwards) Knutson in Mitchell. After graduating in 1972 from Letcher High School, he bought and successfully ran The Rec, an establishment on Letcher’s Main Street where kids and adults could hangout.  

He married his high school sweetheart, Shelley Putnam, on Nov. 1, 1975. Soon after, Kevin handed the reins of The Rec to Shelley and started his career with Terry’s Propane, dedicating nearly 32 years of service. Kevin went on to work for Big Green in Mitchell and later helped drive truck and farm machinery for friends and family.

Kevin was a devoted husband and proud father. His love extended beyond his immediate family. He was a friend in the truest sense, always ready to lend a hand. Kevin was an avid gardener and motorcycle enthusiast and enjoyed traveling with his family.

Kevin is survived by his children, Katie (Keith) Ramm and J.D. (Tara) Knutson; sister, Lynette (Ron) Vermeulen; brothers, Mark (Elaine) Knutson and Keith Knutson; stepmother, Elaine Knutson; and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Darwin and Arlene; a brother, Michael; and wife, Shelley Knutson in 2019.

Clyde Blunt, 84, of Sturgis, formerly of rural Fedora, died Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Monument Health in Rapid City. 

Memorial services were held Thursday, April 18, at Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Mitchell, with burial at Greenhill Cemetery in Alexandria.

Clyde Blunt, son of Arnum and Anna (Cornelius) Blunt, was born Oct. 20, 1939, in Mitchell. He grew up on the family farm between Fulton and Fedora. Clyde attended country school and graduated from Fedora High School. He attended South Dakota School of Mines and Technology for one year until his father’s health declined and Clyde had to return home to the farm. Clyde made his home in Mitchell and was employed at Sears and as a fireman for the City of Mitchell. After his father’s death, the family moved to the family farm in the mid 1960s. Clyde continued to farm until 1987 when he sold the farm. He then worked in Mitchell. In 1988, he and his mother moved to Colorado and was employed with the United States Postal Service. Clyde continued to live in Denver in his retirement until 2022 when he moved to Sturgis and built a home there.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, antiquing, crossword puzzles, playing games and watching sports. Clyde also collected guns and coins.

Clyde is survived by his four children, Jamie (Donald) Knutson of Crooks, Deanna (Timothy Grosz) Blunt-Grosz of Sturgis, Arnum Blunt of Fulton, and Darla (Clark Lee) Blunt-Lee of Humboldt; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Gordon; and two sisters, Joy and Leona.

Betty (Latza) Anderson, of Mitchell, formerly of Baltic, passed away Friday, April 12, 2024. Visitation was from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at West Nidaros Lutheran Church, rural Crooks, with a prayer service beginning at 7 p.m. Funeral services began at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Interment followed at the Butler Cemetery, rural Letcher. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Betty’s honor to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Betty was born to Anton and Anna Latza on July 28, 1941, in Mitchell, S.D. She graduated from Letcher High School in 1959 and from South Dakota State University in 1963. In 1993, Betty earned a master’s degree in Library Science from Mankato State University. While at SDSU she met James Anderson. They were married June 23, 1963, and are so grateful to have over 60 years of marriage.

Betty’s greatest joy came from her children and grandchildren. Watching them enjoy her wonderful cooking and famous pies delighted her. She spent her career in education, retiring from Tri-Valley School District as Head Librarian. She and Jim lived on their farm west of Baltic for 46 years and then moved to Mitchell in July of 2022. Betty was very involved at West Nidaros Lutheran Church, in multiple roles, and had gained a new church family of friends at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Following SDSU Jackrabbit events brought her great entertainment.

Betty is survived by her husband, Jim; daughter, Lori Anderson (Chris Croghan) of Sioux Falls, S.D., and their children, Jacob and Sara; daughter, Amy (Troy) Olson of Artesian, S.D., and their children, Kayla (Tanner) VanWinkle and Trevor (Tristan) Olson; sister-in-law, Carol Latza of Woonsocket; and Jim’s siblings, June (Floyd) Wiesner, Brookings, and Jackie Fuehrer, Brookings.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Eugene and Albert (Mildred); Jim’s parents, Merle and Evelyn Anderson; Jim’s sister, Joan (Don) Bixby; and Jim’s brother-in-law, Clyde Fuehrer.

www.minnehahafuneralhome.com.