Helmer Knudsvig

Helmer Ardell Knudsvig, 86, of Crookston, MN passed away at home on August 31, 2025.

Ardell was born on October 26, 1938 to Helmer Knudsvig and Annie Locken Knudsvig in Grand Forks, ND and grew up on the family farm north of Buxton, ND. He graduated from Buxton High School in 1956 and Concordia College, Moorhead, MN in 1960. He married his classmate since first grade and high school sweetheart  Sandra Kay Beltz on June 1, 1960 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Buxton. From 1960 until 1975, Ardell and Sandy lived in Ada, MN before moving the family to Crookston.  Ardell was a man of deep faith and was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Ada and Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston.

Ardell or "Mr. K" as he was fondly called, was a biology teacher and coach for the Ada School District from 1960 - 1975 and then at Crookston Central High School from 1975 until his retirement in 1998. He was honored to be chosen as Teacher of the Year at both schools and also inducted at both into The Teachers Hall of Fame. He was humbled to be selected three times as a finalist for the Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

Ardell was a modest man who appreciated and was honored for the recognition he received as an educator. What was most important to him however, was to connect with his students and inspire their love of learning. "Talk to your cells!" he often encouraged in his Bio lab. He believed in the potential of every student and made them feel seen and heard. It's no wonder Mr. K was a favorite of so many of his students.

Mr. K spent many years coaching the CHS Pirate girls' tennis and boys wrestling teams and Ada Viking wrestlers. He celebrated with them their successes and supported them through their defeats. He was an enthusiastic coach and sports advocate. He recently received the Minnesota Pioneer Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame award for starting the first wrestling program in Ada.

He found great reward in co-founding and advising the kids in the Crookston High School chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

He spent many summers walking farm fields across the counties of NW MN while working as an agronomist for the Dept. of Agricultural. He enjoyed connecting with the farmers, sniffing out the local bakeries and antique shops and bringing his treasures back home to Sandy.

 Ardell was honored to be recognized with the Concordia Call to Serve Award, the Torch and Shield Award for his work in Ag Science Outreach from the U of MN Crookston and the UND Certificate of Dedication to the teaching of Science.

Ultimately, being a servant of God and his family were Ardell's top priorities. He was a loving and devoted husband to Sandy, his wife of 65 years. Ardell was born to be a Dad and a Grandpa. Grandpa was fun! The grandkids were drawn to him like a magnet. is unconditional love, steady presence and attention followed his family throughout childhood and into the present, blessing them with a sense of security and safeness and belonging. Ardell prayed for his family daily.

Ardell is preceded in death by his parents, Helmer and Annie Knudsvig; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Pearl and Cyril Beltz; brother, Glenn Knudsvig; sister-in-law, Shirley Knudsvig; grandson, Kyle Akers; niece, Lisa (Beltz) Burger.

Ardell is survived by his wife, Sandra Knudsvig; children, Fred (Marsha) Knudsvig of Pine Island, MN, Sue Knudsvig of Crookston, Roderick Knudsvig of Longmont, CO, Jana (Phil) Akers of Fruita, CO. ; grandchildren, Ben Knudsvig, Kelli (Alex) Rehbein, Powell Knudsvig, Roderick Knudsvig, Robyn Akers; great-grandchildren, Arlo and Pearl Rehbein; brother-in-law, Michael (Cheryl) Beltz of West Fargo; nephews and niece, Gregory Beltz, David Beltz, Matthew Knudsvig, Annalisa (Joel) Christensen; great niece and nephew, Rachel Christensen and Luke Christensen.

The Knudsvig family will receive friends at Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Thursday, September 11 from 5-7pm.

The Celebration of Life service for Ardell will be Friday, September 12, 2025, at 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston. Inurnment at the Oakdale Ossuarium will take place following the service.

Special Thanks from Ardell's family to HIA Hospice for the wonderful care and support.

Memorials to charity of your choosing or MS Society, National Park Foundation, Hospice and Trinity Lutheran Church.