Donald D. Knuth

Donald Dean Knuth was born on June 27, 1931, to Harry and Lydia (Barth) Knuth on a farm near Lincoln, Nebraska. He grew up in southeast Nebraska as his family moved to several different farms. He worked helping his father farm. He also worked with his Uncle Ervin Barth near Utica, Nebraska. He joined the United States Army and served in Germany in 1952 and 1953. He was an Occupational Forces Corporal and drove for a Major, taking over the assignment his brother Willie had performed previously. He returned to Nebraska and worked farming and in drywall construction. He worked for Cather Construction & Sons in Lincoln. This company would become Eliason & Knuth and he continued working with his families business.

He married Phyllis Mae Otto on March 10, 1957, at Zion Lutheran Church. They moved to the family farm and together ran the farming operation while raising three children. He also continued working in drywall construction independently. They moved to Wahoo in 2016 and eventually to South Haven Living Center.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Wahoo 67 years. He was very involved with the Church and served in many capacities including the Board of Trustees.

Don and Phyllis enjoyed square dancing and traveling especially to visit family across the country. They also enjoyed many trips to Branson, Missouri. Don had a wide range of knowledge and skill with construction and wood working and enjoyed sharing his talents with his church and family.

Donald was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis; brothers Gerald, Wilbur, Lawrence, Richard and Robert; nephew Lynn Knuth. He is survived by his three children Karen (Dr. Charles) Olson, Kevin Knuth, and Kerry (Angela) Knuth; 5 grandchildren Billy (Shane) Olson, Beth (Jon) Pulito, Becca Olson, Gregory Knuth and Garrison Knuth; great-grandchildren Chip & Reese Olson, Charlie & Leah Pulito; brother Merle (Elna) Knuth, sisters Margaret (Richard) Hoover, Doris (Wayne) Troyer; sisters-in-law Betty, Nancy and Wilma Knuth; many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Memorials to First United Methodist Church or The Methodist Hospital Foundation Heart & Cardiovascular Services.