Russell Dean Knowles

Russell Dean Knowles, age 74, of Menahga, MN, passed away on Sunday, May 11, 2025 at Centra Care Hospital in Saint Cloud, MN.

Russell was born on June 4, 1951, in Park Rapids, MN, the son of the late Emmertt and Mildred (Willard) Knowles. He was raised in Menahga, MN, and graduated from Menahga High School in 1969. He was drafted into the US Army in 1971 and served stateside until 1973. Upon his discharge he settled in the Twin Cities area and met Vickie Biskey. On November 2, 1974, they were married in Long Prairie, MN. Russell worked for the film company PAKO and then for the Banta Printing Company until they moved back to Menahga in 1999 where they built a log home and established Knowles Funny Farm. He greatly enjoyed hobby farming and his animals, especially his cows. During this time he also worked for RDO in Park Rapids in irrigation maintenance. In his free time, he was an avid outdoorsman, hunting, fishing, 4-wheeling, anything outdoors. He was also enjoyed having a good time with his family and friends, most of all with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren

Russell is survived by his wife of 50 years, Vickie Knowles; daughter, Kim (Justin Brown) Knowles; son, Derek (Lynzi Daly) Knowles; 12 grandchildren, Kaylee (Heath) Mickelson, Jamie (Wyatt) Newman, Autumn, Alyssa, Jaden, Ryan, Rylei, Kenna, Jace, Oliver, Rhyett, and Jackson; 2 great-grandchildren, Callan and Lola; sisters, Shirley Brown, Audrey Shepherd, Cindy (Jim) Knowles, Tammy (Steve) Schroeder; and Roxanne (Art) Scholz; and brother, Rod Knowles; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emmertt and Mildred Knowles; sisters, Carol Fix, Betty Wojcik, Delores Rumley, and Marlene Winebrenner; and brothers, Melvin, Darrel, Dennis, and Wesley Knowles; as well as 2 siblings that died in childhood.

Family will be holding a celebration of life at the VFW in Menahga on May 24, 2025 at 1 - 3 PM.