Alfred Knutson

Alfred "Al "Knutson of Land O' Lakes, Wi passed away recently at ASPIRUS Hospital in Wausau. He was 72 years old. He was born on Sept. 30, 1945 in Lucera, Italy, a son of Lee and Armida (Vindetti) Knutson. He graduated from Antigo High School in 1965. After graduating, he moved to Kodiak, Alaska to work on a gold digging ship on the Bering Sea. After returning from Alaska, he met and married Sandy Mattes in 1968. The couple later divorced. There is nothing Al enjoyed more than spending time either in the woods or on the water. In 1975 he moved to Land O' Lakes and started his business "Al's Guide Service" in the UP of Michigan. Al would spend 3 seasons a year in the UP until moving there permanently in 1990. Al used to say that he was one of the few guys who got paid for what they love doing most and that was just being on the water. While still guiding, he owned and operated the Cisco Lake Resort for 10 years. He loved serving customers with his own recipe for Friday night fish fry's. For close friends, customers and family he'd fry up fresh fish he'd recently caught or fish he'd caught in Fort Meyer, Florida. (loved serving shark he'd caught) Al especially enjoyed the traveling fishing trips he took to different states, Canada and Alaska with his son Kory, brothers, friends and special friend Jim (Skinner) Leveque. Al looked forward to spending some of his winter months fishing and guiding out of Fort Meyer where it was warm, and he never knew what was on the other end of the line. His favorite day of the year for the last ?????? years was the first Saturday in Aug. That was the day of the annual Julia Fittante Memorial Fishing Outing. He looked forward to coordinating all the local guides and fisherman to take all the kids and families from the Children's Hospital in Green Bay out for a fun filled day of catching fish. Al had a very special relationship with Julia. For those who live, fish or have fished with Al on the Cisco Chain of Lakes, he will be remembered as a legend guide and friend. Survivors include his, mom Armida Knutson. Son, Kory Knutson. Sisters, Mona Scharmer of Wausau, Caroline Cosby of Wausau, Diane Truman of Wausau, Debra Michkiosky of Wenatchee, Washington, Sheila Penrose of Westin and Brenda Whittle (Ron) of Wausau. Brothers, Kermit Knutson of Louisville, Kentucky, Ken Knutson (Lynn) of Longview Washington and Ron Knutson (Kathy) of Downers Grove, Illinois. Al also enjoyed fishing with one or more of his 58 nieces and nephews, especially when they got snagged and hooks needed to be retied on, knots to be undone, poles dropped in the water, hooks to be removed from another niece or nephew on the boat when someone wasn't paying attention when casting out, rebaiting hooks or fish to be taken off the hook. Or just answering the question, "is this a keeper Uncle Al". He just loved taking his nieces and nephews out fishing. Special friends, among others, Cheryl, Butch, Dave, Carl, Norby, Foote, Flood family, Skinner and the entire Fittante family. Al was preceeded by his dad Lee Knutson, former wife Sandy Resch, Sister Donna Mammano, Aunt and Uncle Matt and Delores Greene, Nephew Keegan Knutson, Brothers in law, Brian Scharmer, Windsor Cosby Sr, Bill Truman, and Mitch Michkiosky. And very very special friend Julia Fittante. There will be a celebration of Al's life on June 23'rd from 1:00-4:00pm at Bents Camp Resort on the Cisco Chain of Lakes. Memorials may be sent to, Cisco Chain Riparian Owners Association, P.O. Box 687, Watersmeet, MI 49969. Strasser-Roller Funeral Home is assisting the family. Friends may visit online at www.strasserrollerfh.com.