By Mary Nehring, Staff Writer

 

EDITORS NOTE: This  is the third and final of a three-part series about Becker graduates of yesteryear. 

 

The year was 1945. Oliver Knutston was walking across the stage at Becker High School. Harry S. Truman was in the white house. A new car would set you back around $4,600 and a gallon of gas was a mere 15 cents. 

Oliver was one of 18 graduates in Becker in 1945 - 12 girls and six boys. Oliver says his class took an end-of-the-year senior class trip to Taylors Falls. “My classmates and I enjoyed the class trip very much. The only disappointing part was that Waldon Anderson (classmate) could not be with us because he went into the service immediately following graduation.”

School subjects may have expanded since 1945, but the the focus on the three “R”s still remains and teachers impacting students’ lives is still a blessing today. 

As I reflect on my school days, I have many fond memories. I found that boarding the bus for the first time was daunting. Thank goodness we had many older siblings to shepherd us our first year of school. My first school bus driver was local resident/farmer Kris Person. He was kind and put my twin sister and I at ease. 

Oliver has accomplished a great deal since his high school graduation. He was also a school bus driver in Becker for 17 years, along with Wesley Bowles and Tommy Stodola. Oliver worked as a custodian at Becker schools for nine years. Oliver was one of the first board members at Monticello-Big Lake Hospital and served as a board member for 15 years. 

Oliver tells me he retired at the age of 63, although I’m not convinced he has ever retired. He has continued to stay active. Oliver and Betty have been very active members at Faith Lutheran Church in Becker, with Oliver serving as Treasurer and also as Trustee, while Betty has been very active in WELCA women’s group at church. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit with Oliver and his wife, Betty, earlier this week. We laughed as Oliver recalled how he and some classmates got kicked out of typing class, yet the boy responsible for the naughty behavior somehow escaped without punishment! Oliver smiled as he recalled one student putting ex-lax in another’s candy bar.

Oliver met Betty while roller skating at Camp Cozy near Elk River in the late 1940’s. While they were dating, they often spent time with Waldon and Bernice Anderson.

Oliver and Betty were married on Oct. 25, 1952 and raised five children on their farm near Becker. They raised hogs, feeder pigs and beef cattle and lived near my cousin Helen Hyttsten and her husband Lester. Oliver and Betty tell me Hyttstens were wonderful neighbors and they enjoyed spending time together. They enjoyed snowmobiling on occasion. 

Oliver and Betty will celebrate 66 years of marriage this fall and still live just out of Becker near German Town Hill. Their faith and family are important to them. They enjoy spending time with their children; eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Oliver and Betty shared that despite hardships over the years, they thank the good Lord for seeing them through difficult times. “I tried not to get in too much trouble over the years!”, Oliver shared with his contagious grin. “We take one day at a time,” Betty said.

Oliver and Betty Knutson and their family are truly good people. They are a blessing to the Becker community. It’s a good day when you spend time with Oliver and Betty Knutson.