HILL CITY- SD- Gary J. Knutson, 66, of Hill City, SD, and formerly of Olathe, Kan., and Northwood, Iowa, died peacefully in his wife's arms on Thursday, Dec. 22 at the Hospice of the Hills, Rapid City, SD, after a courageously fought battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born Feb. 19, 1950, to Cornell and Ila Knutson of rural Northwood. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Northwood and graduated from Northwood-Kensett High School in 1968.

As a freshman at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, he met the woman who would be his wife and lifelong partner, Twyla. They were married Aug. 29, 1970, in Fridley, Minn.

Gary graduated from Augustana College in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in business administration. He received an MBA in marketing from the University of Northern Iowa in 1974. Gary served six years in the U.S. Army Reserves out of Sioux Falls and was honorably discharged in 1977.

Gary spent a rewarding career in sales and management, including stints at Burroughs in Sioux Falls, SD, and Rochester, Minn., and then with Piper Jaffray & Hopwood in Sioux Falls. For almost 30 years, he worked as an account executive for Automated Systems, Inc., of Lincoln, NE, servicing community banks throughout the Midwest and managing the company's Kansas City branch. Gary was highly respected by his coworkers and clients.

Gary was an active member of Advent Lutheran Church in Olathe, Kan., working with the property and grounds committee, and he thoroughly enjoyed singing with the Chancel Choir. He and Twyla enjoyed their annual Caribbean cruises with friends. Together they took two dream trips to the Scandinavian holy lands of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. He also loved the farm on which he was raised, returning to north Iowa several times every year to work on the farm and relax with family.

After residing 29 years in Olathe, Gary and Twyla realized a lifelong dream of building a home in South Dakota's Black Hills. After learning of his diagnosis, they were determined to fulfill that goal and moved into their new home on Thanksgiving.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Gary is survived by his wife of 46 years, Twyla J. Knutson; two children, Jonathan (Kat) Knutson, of Norman, Okla., and Katie (Colt) Foutz of Sioux Falls, SD; five grandchildren, Symara McLemore and Matthew Knutson, and Jonah, Ben and Caleb Foutz; and three siblings, Sharyl Nestor, of Northwood, L. Timothy (Jeanette) Knutson, of Northwood, and Rachel Nordstrom, of State Center, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.

Gary will be cremated. A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Advent Lutheran Church (11800 W. 151st St.), Olathe, KS.

Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 26 at South Shell Rock Cemetery (Highway 105) Northwood, IA.

The family requests no flowers. Memorial gifts in Gary's memory may be sent to Advent Lutheran Church, Chancel Choir fund, c/o Tom Williams, 11800 West 151st St., Olathe, KS 66062; Augustana University Athletics, c/o Development Dept., 2001 S. Summit Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57197; or Hospice of the Hills, 224 Elk St., Rapid City, SD 57701.