Gilbert William Knudson

Gilbert William †œBill†� Knudson, 85, of Denver passed away peacefully on November 13, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. He will be remembered for his steadfast devotion to his wife Lois and their three sons, his keen sense of humor, his honorable service to his country, his dedicated career with the railroad, his benevolence to his fellow Elks, and his love for watching weekend football. Bill was born in Casper, WY in 1930 and graduated from Denver†™s Mountair High School in 1948. He was a 12-year Reservist with the US Marine Corps starting in 1949, forsaking dental school at the University of Denver. He saw active duty in Korea in 1950-51. Upon his return to Denver, he married Lois, his high school sweetheart, and went on to earn his bachelor†™s degree in business from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1954. Bill started his working life at a young age as a †œsoda jerk†� at the Denver Union Station in the 1940†™s as well as parking cars at the Terminal Garage. He held a variety of positions in aerospace and banking before pursuing his dream career with the railroad, carrying on a long family history of railroad people. In 1971, Bill joined the Colorado & Southern Railroad, which merged with the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1982 where he retired in 1994. Bill enjoyed a long and well deserved retirement. Bill was a member of the Elks Lodge for over 61 years, starting at Denver # l7 Lodge in June of 1955 where he became the Inner Guard. After taking time out to raise his family, Bill demitted to the Westminster #2227 Lodge where he began his journey through the Officer Chairs, becoming the Exalted Ruler in l991-92. He received his Life Membership in January 1995. Following their move to Arvada, Bill demitted to the Arvada Lodge #2278 in 1998 where he was appointed Tiler and was named "Officer of the Year" 2004-05. His faith in God was unwavering as a member of Holy Cross Lutheran church since 1990. He enjoyed boating with his family, spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, reading, telling stories, square dancing and solving puzzles. As a diehard Denver Bronco fan, Bill could often be heard most Sunday afternoons yelling at the television as if he were on the sidelines. Bill spent his final day in this world with his entire family by his side, reminiscing about a life well lived. And despite his struggle to breathe throughout the day, his humor and wit never waned. He was preceded in death by his parents Louise and Gilbert and his sister Francis. He is survived by his wife of 64 years Lois of Broomfield; sons Greg (Mary) of Erie, Jeff (Fredda) of Grand Canyon, AZ, and Ed (Janell) of Lakewood; brothers Richard of Liguna Niguel, CA and Larry (Donna) of Georgetown, TX; and sister Karen (Steve) of Kenai, AK; 11 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO on January 9, 2016 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to either Holy Cross Lutheran Church or to Jim Nealon, Chairman, Elks National Foundation, 8648 W. 95th Dr. Westminster, CO 80021.