Lucille "Mert" Knutson

Lucille “Mert” Knutson passed away on March 14, 2022 at the age of 93 at Roundup Memorial

Hospital. She was born to John and Velma Merten August 12, 1928 in Winnett Montana. Mert attended all twelve years of school in Winnett, MT, graduating in 1947. Mert married Charles I Knutson “Red” Knutson June 10, 1947. They went to Oregon for their honeymoon and ended up staying for a year. They moved back to Winnett where Red worked on ranches for Ray Bohn and Wayne Bratten. Russ was born in 1949 and Chuck in 1954.

Being the second of four girls and one younger brother, Mert spent much of her younger years helping her father and had very fond memories of those times with him. As a young girl, she became a member of the Jr American Legion Auxiliary under the leadership of Mother Velma Merten. At 18 she became a senior member and served as president twice. This was not the only membership she was active with, she was also part of the Rebecca Organization, Royal Neighbors, historian and officer for Senior Citizens, helped organize the Winnett High School Reunions and was involved in many more community activities.

In Winnett, to name a few, she worked in the Winnett bakery, liquor store, and Clark’s Pay and Save, and later when Red was employed by the county, she helped him with janitorial duties at the courthouse. Mert and Red purchased the Fred Merten farmstead from the Knapps, located on top of the rims above town. They lived there many years plowing out the snow to get back and forth to town. They eventually purchased the home in town where she was able to grow her flower gardens with plentiful water.

You could always find Mert with a front row seat at the rodeo grounds watching from the pickup and if you were thirsty, you could stop by for a cold glass of iced tea and a visit. She loved all sporting events and should be labeled the #1 Winnett Rams fan, never missing a ballgame for all of the kids. Mert also loved a good card game with her many friends and family. She had a competitive spirit and would holler “yippee” when she drew a good card or give the card a kiss if it was a joker.

She did a good job keeping track of the neighbors and the townspeople and would bake a fresh loaf of bread if you did her a favor or maybe just because she thought you needed it. On bake day ‘Tuesday’ she would meet Shelley and Robin outside of the school and give them a fresh slice of buttered bread before they got on the bus. Mert was a wonderful woman, and we will all carry cherished memories of her in our hearts forever.

Mert was preceded in death by her father and mother John and Velma Merten, husband CI ‘Red’ Knutson, brother Jack Merten and wife Mary, sisters Rosie Harris and husband Rex, Peggy Berg and husband Enscel, and son Chuck Knutson.

She is survived by sister Janet (Roy) Myers; son Russ (Luann); granddaughters Shelley (Mike) Berst and Robin Rude; great grandchildren, Jake and Connor Berst, Shelby and Cooper Rude; great great grandson Riley Berst; many very special nieces and nephews; and her dear friend Jean Cook.

Funeral services will be held at Cloyd Funeral Home in Lewistown, MT, on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with burial following at the Lewistown City Cemetery. Gathering of family and friends will continue in Winnett with reception at Petroleum County Senior Citizens in the courthouse basement.

Memorials can be sent to Petroleum County Senior Citizens, Petroleum County Endowment or the charity of their choice and they may be left with the Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.