Henriette "Henri" Knutson

Henriette “Henri” Knutson passed away peacefully on August 28 at age 95. Henri was born on June 19, 1931, in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, the youngest of Medore and Eva Rose (nee Fournier) LaPlante’s four French daughters. Henri grew up on a farm in Gervais Township and loved working in the fields with her father. Her first language was French, but when she entered kindergarten in a one-room rural schoolhouse, English was the only language allowed. She recalled punishment when children whispered in French in the classroom, or spoke it on the playground.

Henri met David Knutson after he returned from serving in the Navy in WWII. At the time, she was waitressing in a restaurant at Marcoux Corner, east of Crookston. Wanting to introduce himself, Dave yelled, “Boo!” as she came through the restaurant’s swinging kitchen doors with a full tray of food and drinks. It was love-at-first-crash. They had fun recounting this story throughout their 68-year marriage.

After brief stints living in Crookston and Duluth, Dave and Henri settled in Detroit Lakes in 1954, where Dave had a career in radio at KDLM-KVLR and Henri worked a short time for Norby’s Department Store.

Henri always loved sports and was a good athlete. She enjoyed bowling in her younger years along with golf, and later racquetball. She was also an avid baseball and football fan, and reveled in the Twins’ two World Series victories. A Vikings Super Bowl win was perennially on her bucket list.

Henri carried her athletic prowess into her later years. In her 80s, she set a Curves Fitness workout record in North America by attending the Detroit Lakes Curves facility more than 3000 times! Her other claim to fame was beating the neighborhood’s fastest runner (1960s), with a cigarette in her hand!

Henri was a sun goddess and loved when the cocktail parties moved south after Christmas. She and Dave spent many winters in Florida with their Detroit Lakes friends. A great bridge player and seamstress, Henri was also involved in several local civic and social organizations over the years.

Henri Knutson was preceded in death by her husband, David Knutson. She is survived by Bill (Chris) Knutson of Sun Lakes, Arizona, and Gayle Knutson (Jim Maher) of Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota; grandchildren Kelley Norlander, (Eric Norlander), John Knutson, and Casey Maher; and two great-granddaughters, Georgia and Audrey.

Memorials can be sent to the Becker County Fire Project at 1231 Lincoln Ave, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501, a local nonprofit providing support to neighbors in need.