Oscar W. “Bud” Knaak Jr.

Oscar W. “Bud” Knaak Jr., 92, of Madelia was called to his eternal rest on Tuesday morning, Dec. 30, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society-Pleasantview in St. James.
Oscar Waldemar Knaak Jr. was born on June 17, 1933, to Oscar Knaak Sr. and Emilie (Arndt) Knaak on a farm in Antrim Township, Watonwan County, rural Lewisville. He received his education in rural country school in Antrim Township, Watonwan County, and later graduated from Madelia with the Class of 1951. He farmed with family in Antrim Township. On Aug. 31, 1957, he was united in marriage to Janice (Jane) Allen at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fieldon Township, rural Lewisville. After their marriage they farmed in Antrim Township. On Oct. 1, 1957, he served in the United States Army until his honorable discharge on Aug. 31, 1963. His wife, Janice, joined him while he was in basic training at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colo., and later at Fort Knox in Elizabethtown, Ky. After his discharge they moved back to Minnesota and made their home in rural Lewisville where they farmed until 2002, when they moved to Madelia. After retiring from farming, he worked at the Lake Crystal lumber yard, the St. James golf course and drove the “Take Me There” bus. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Fieldon Township where he served on its church council, served as an elder and trustee. Oscar was a member of NFO, Lutheran Laymen League and enjoyed fishing, reading, wood working and wood carving. He was named Watonwan Soil and Water Conservation District 1979 Conservation Farmer. 
He is survived by his five children; Robin (Gary) Ekstrom of rural Lewisville, Steven (Linda) Knaak of Forest Lake, Julie (George) Kiffmeyer of Clear Lake, Naomi (Victor) Kimball of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., and Thomas Knaak of rural Lewisville; 11 grandchildren, Andrew, Shane, Levi, Jordan, Alex, Sarah, Cameron, Rebecca, Benjamin, William and Carson; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Linda Geistfeld of rural Truman, Clare Erickson of Vancouver, Wash., Judie Connor of Austell, Ga., and Birdella Allen of Sherburn; brother-in-law, Wilbur (Grace) Allen; nieces and nephews and other relatives.
Oscar was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Emilie Knaak; wife, Janice (Jane) on July 13, 2019; sisters, Orlando Zellmer and Melinda Reineke; brothers, Arnold, Waldemar, Eric and Gerhard Knaak; and other relatives.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Kramer Funeral Home of Sherburn, Trimont and Welcome is in charge of Oscar’s arrangements. Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.kramerfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Madelia Riverside Cemetery, Madelia Health or the Good Samaritan Society in St. James. Memorials may be mailed to: Kramer Funeral Home, % Oscar Knaak Jr., P.O. Box K, Trimont, MN 56176.