Kristopher K. Knudsen, age 68 of Princeton, died March 15, 2021 at his home. The Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, March 22nd at Oxlip Evangelical Free Church in rural Isanti. The visitation will begin at 9 A.M. at the church.
Kristopher Keith Knudsen 8/10/52 to 3/15/21
As a child, Kris grew up in Brooklyn Center with his parents and three sisters. He graduated from Brooklyn Center High School in 1970, then joined the US Navy in December of 1970. In the Navy, he primarily served at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico.
Kris married Karen Holt in 1978. They purchased a home in North Minneapolis where they began their family, having three children, Kirk, Kyle, and Kimberly. In 1988, they moved
to St. Francis, MN, where the kids grew up and graduated from high school. In 2013, Kris
and Karen moved to Princeton, MN.
Kris received his diploma in electricity at Dunwoody in 1977, and was employed that same year by NSP, which later became Xcel Energy, working as a Lineman, Construction Manager, and
Troubleman. He retired in 2010 from Xcel Energy, and then contracted with Connexus Energy after his retirement to take his dream job as an Electrical Safety Instructor.
Kris was a true extrovert. He loved people and being with people. He wanted to be where people were, at church gatherings, weddings, parties, or entertaining at his home. He loved to share stories. He’d stop anything to help anyone who needed it. He enjoyed traveling, trips, camping, fishing trips, and vacations with family and friends. Kris was very involved at Oxlip Church, teaching a men’s Sunday school class, running sound, and serving as the board chairman and an elder. Kris’ favorite stories were about his adventures in the Navy, coaching football, playing softball, golfing and of course fishing—his all-time favorite activity. Kris played thousands of games of cribbage with his kids and friends, and countless games with friends and family.
Kris was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in December of 2015. For 5 1/2 years he fought a courageous battle with his cancer and kept a very positive attitude to the very end. On March 15,
Kris went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What a glorious reunion for him—home free with a savior who loves fishermen. No more suffering, pain or tears, and we look forward to reuniting with him in the presence of Jesus.
Kris was preceded in death by his father Keith and mother Jean Knudsen. He is survived by his wife, Karen; son, Kirk (Jenny), son, Kyle (Heidi) and daughter, Kimberly; his four grandchildren, Joel, Bria (Kirk & Jenny), Morgan and Kayli (Kyle & Heidi); and his sisters, Karin (Tony), Karla (Jack) and Korrine (Korky) (Bob); and too many friends to count.
It’s been great and fun knowing Kris. He was an inspiration to me. You were not only a great friend but a brother. Thank you for all the great memories while our time at Roosevelt Roads. I will miss you. Love you bro.
Kris had a genuine love that you could just feel before he said a single word. I remember him always chuckling about something Kim & I were scheming. Looking back, he probably knew whatever our plan- it more than likely wasn’t going to work. But he loved us enough to let us try, fail & try, try again🤣
I’m thinking of you all during this difficult time! He’s in a much better place, but it’s never easy letting go 💖
Too many memories to share but in the wise words of Darlene Shaw, “Cousins by blood, friends by choice”.