Michael Sterling Knudsen

Michael Sterling Knudsen ended his mortal journey on Thursday, March 24, 2022 after valiantly fighting both bladder cancer and Parkinson’s disease. He was received into the realms of glory and the loving arms of his Heavenly Father. Heaven has gained another mighty angel and we thank God for the gift of this magnificent man as a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. There are not enough words to sufficiently honor him or to fully express the love we have for our dad. He set a wonderful example and lead the way for his children to follow. We will forever miss his wisdom, counsel, strength and loyalty. Everyone who knew him loved his quick-witted humor, the way he would tease relentlessly, and of course, he always had that mischievous twinkle in his eye.

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Dad was born in Salt Lake City Utah in the Murray Maternity Hospital on September 2, 1940 to Lamar Duane Knudsen and Elizabeth Helen Blair. He grew up in Salt Lake City in the Cottonwood area on Fardown Avenue.

Dad‘s first job was working in the landscaping business, and then at a young age, he began working with his father in his construction business. He worked alongside his father for the next 30 years. In 1972, while working with his dad, he had the honor and privilege of doing all of the stone work on the beautiful Provo Temple. He was blessed to place the corner-stone of that temple side-by-side with the Prophet at the time, President Joseph Fielding Smith and President N. Eldon Tanner. There was even a large picture and article written about it in the Ensign magazine.

In 1983, with a little Ford truck, a wheelbarrow, and very little equipment, dad branched out and started his own construction company called Heritage West construction where he worked alongside each of his boys, and later on, even a few of his grandsons.

Dad graduated from Olympus High School in 1958 and then at the tender age of 18 he enlisted in the Army where he served in the infantry. In 1961, at the age of 20, dad served a mission in Northern California for the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. He later attended the University of Utah and in January of 1964, dad met his eternal companion and love of his life, Bonnie Bennion (on a blind date, no less). They were married later that same year on November 20, 1964. Mom and dad had four children, followed by 13 grandchildren and six great grandchildren with one more on the way in September.

Dad had many hobbies. He loved to play racquetball, hunt, fish, play chess and cards with his boys, scuba dive, and of course, golf. Mom and dad both also loved playing pinochle with all of their friends throughout the years. He loved attending all of his grandkids sporting events, dance recitals and gymnastics meets.

Apparently, dad had kept a secret from mom for many years. Mom couldn’t have been more shocked, when one day, while at a friend’s house, dad picked up their child’s accordion and began playing “Lady of Spain” and “Whispering”! She had no idea he could play, or that he had such musical talent! And apparently… He’s the only one in our family that does!

Dad loved his children, no one doubted that. But he FIERCELY loved his grandchildren! In his eyes, they were perfect and could do no wrong. He was so proud and you could practically watch them growing up day by day with all the pictures he had on his phone!

Dad was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. Over the years, he served in many callings such as Elders Quorum, Sunday School, Primary, Young Men’s, Scouting, and he and mom served together in the young adult ward, but his favorite calling by far was serving in the nursery.

Our dad’s love for the Savior and his amazing example shaped the course of his children and grandchildren‘s lives for generations to come.

Now dad is on his next grand adventure where we know he will be watching over us, giving us all peace and comfort and we will continue to share his legacy with his posterity.

Dad is survived by his wife, Bonnie, his children, Stacey (Stan), Jon (Angie), Tim (Camille), Jeremy (Cayce), 13 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren with one on the way in September.

A viewing will be held at the LDS chapel located at 2400 E. Alta Canyon Dr., Sandy, UT, 84093 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM on Thursday, March 31. The funeral service will be held at the same location at 12 o’clock noon.

Interment to follow at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery located at 3115 E. Bengal Blvd., Cottonwood Heights Utah, 84121

Our entire family would like to thank the staff at VALEO Home health and hospice, specifically, Marie Evans and Kim Grover, for the love, compassion and tender care they gave dad during the final weeks of his life. They treated him with such honor, dignity and respect and for that we are eternally grateful.