Martin C. Knudsvig

Martin Christopher Knudsvig, 94, Grand Forks, and formerly of Buxton and Northwood, ND entered into eternal rest the 12th of May, 2019 at Valley Eldercare Center, Grand Forks, ND.

 Martin Christopher Knudsvig was born January 27, 1925 to Christopher and Martha Osland Knudsvig on the Gudmund Knudsvig farm in Buxton Township, Traill County, North Dakota.  Only a few days after he was born, his mother died.  Martin lived with his maternal grandparents, Cornelius and Malin Osland until October 1928 when his father married Emma Albertina Kveen of Roseau, Minnesota. Shortly after their marriage, Martin came back to the Knudsvig farm to live with his father and his “new” mother Emma.  Martin attended and graduated from Buxton Common #1 – a one room country school which was two miles from the Knudsvig farm.  After completing 8th grade, Martin became his father's 'right hand' working with him on the family farm.  Martin, his father and brother Gerald worked together for many years raising livestock and small grains.

 In 1950 Martin was drafted and served in the US Army.  During Martin's tour of duty he had basic training at Camp Atterbury, Indiana where he was trained to be a cook.  Martin cooked on troop trains that moved soldiers from eastern United States to the west coast before being assigned to the 28th Infantry Division (Pennsylvania National Guard). The unit received orders to be shipped to a base located near Stuttgart, Germany where Martin was for eighteen months. Transportation from the US was by a troop ship which was an experience never forgotten by a person who grew up on the prairies of North Dakota. One of his most memorable times during Martin's tour of duty in Germany was 'leave time' when he and some of his Traill County buddies went with him to Norway to visit relatives.  Martin had many entertaining and humorous stories to share with his younger brothers when he was home on 'leave' and after his honorable discharge from the army in 1952.

 Martin returned home to the Knudsvig farm where he lived until his marriage on November 21, 1980 to Donna Carlson Evanson from Northwood, ND.  This union made Martin an instant dad and grandfather which made Martin very happy and proud.  Martin and Donna lived in Northwood and Martin commuted to the farm and continued to work with his brother Gerald until the mid-nineties.

 On August 26, 2007 Martin and Donna moved to Grand Forks, ND after an EF4 tornado destroyed their home.  They lived at Alcott Manor for five years.  In 2012 Martin was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease which required him to need more medical assistance.  They then moved to 4000 Valley Square, a nursing, assisted and independent living facility in Grand Forks.  In 2015 Martin and Donna moved to Valley Eldercare Center.

 Martin was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and was a lifelong member of  Ny Stavanger Lutheran Church in Buxton, ND,  a member of the Buxton VFW and the Northwood American Legion.  

Surviving Martin are his brothers, Hilman Knudsvig (Buxton, ND) and Everett (Karen) Knudsvig  (Grand Forks, ND) and  his sister-in-law Karen Knudsvig (Buxton, ND). Martin is also survived by nieces and nephews:  Curtis (Christine) Knudsvig, Tanya (James) LaTour, Lisa (Peter) Lindgren, Todd Knudsvig, Paul Knudsvig, Terri (Steve) Woulett, David (Erica) Knudsvig, Sheila (Ben) McClenahen, Sara (Douglas) Taylor and many grand- nieces and nephews. Also surviving are Donna's children:  Sandra (Marshall) Tangen, Scott (Shawnee) Evanson, Steve (Teresa) Evanson,  Shelly (Francis) Strohfus, Stuart (Anna) Evanson, Sherrie Beth Evanson and 14 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.  Martin was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; mother, Martha; father, Christopher; step-mother, Emma;  half brothers, Harry, Gerald, Kenneth and Kenneth's wife, Idell. Blessed be the memory of Martin Christopher Knudsvig.

Funeral services: Saturday the 18th of May 11:00 am at Ny Stavanger Lutheran Church in Buxton, ND, with visitation an hour before the service.   Interment will be at Immanuel Cemetery North, Buxton, ND. Arrangements by Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks, ND