Jonathan "Jon" E. Knutson

Jonathan Edward Knutson, Grand Forks ND, passed away on April 25, 2025 under the care of hospice. Jon was born on October 16, 1959 in McVille ND to Robert and Helen (Turmo) Knutson. Jon spent his childhood in the Sheyenne River valley, where he developed an appreciation for the land, the people and the stories of this area.

Following graduation from McVille High School, he continued his education with a Bachelors Degree from Concordia College in Moorhead MN and a Masters in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix AZ. Rather than a career in business, Jon chose to leverage his skill with words, extensive knowledge of politics, government and business, and ability to explain complex concepts in an easy-to-understand way into an award-winning career in journalism. He began at the Bismark Tribune then, after a stint at Agweek magazine, Jon moved on to The Forum, where he covered business and other topics for over 19 years. He returned to Agweek in 2010, where he thoroughly enjoyed working with valued colleagues covering the innovation, hard work, and perseverance that can be found in the business of agriculture. When cancer no longer permitted him to work, Jon still wrote occasional columns for Agweek.

Jon enjoyed lively discussions on a wide range of topics. His family and friends will miss his keen insight on subjects ranging from gardening to investments to sports to politics.

Jon is survived by his parents, Robert and Helen Knutson; sister Elizabeth and her husband Jeff Kroke, their son Phillip, their daughter Kaia and her husband Zach Gordon and their children Roscoe, Oliver, Eleanor, and Jonathan (Jack); sister Kathy and her husband Dave Bandy and their children Jedidiah, Lily, and Tabitha; brother Paul and his wife Jen and their children Tessa and Ross: aunts and uncles Mary and Bob Thompson, David and Hazel Turmo, and Francis and Linda Turmo; and many much-loved cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Rev Alfred and Hazel (Klonglan) Knutson and Rev Carl and Gladys (Sorenson) Turmo, great uncle Oliver Knutson, great aunt Hilda Knutson, and aunts Viviann (Knutson) Christenson and her husband Stanley, and Esther (Knutson) Barnum and her husband Lowell.

A family-directed private graveside service is planned for later this year.

In lieu of memorials, Jon's family believes the best way to honor his memory is to schedule a cancer screening, especially for colon cancer.