Our obituaries page allows for you to light a candle for a loved one or leave a guest comment. You are able to search for obituaries by first and last name or by the date of death.

Herbert J. Knudten, Jr.

October 8, 1941 - January 5, 2023

Herbert John Knudten, Jr., 81, of Ankeny, Iowa, passed away on January 5, 2023 in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 517 SW Des Moines St, Ankeny, IA 50023. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. prior to the funeral. The funeral will be livestreamed at the following link: https://bit.ly/htlc-funeral

Herb was born on October 8, 1941 in Chicago, IL to parents Herbert and Sophia Knudten. He moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he met the love of his life, Anne Locher. He graduated from Washington High School and obtained his business and law degrees from the University of Iowa.

Herb worked as a Sales Manager at Universal Engineering for 10 years. He started a law practice with his best friend and brother-in-law, John Locher. They practiced together for 16 years in downtown Cedar Rapids. Herb was a long-time member of First Lutheran Church and the choir in Cedar Rapids. It was there that he volunteered to make hospital visits to members and discovered his true calling, leading him to enroll in Wartburg Seminary at the age of 50. Herb received a Master of Divinity degree and accepted the call to serve both Trinity Lutheran Church in Malcom, and St. John Lutheran Church in Tama, Iowa, and retired after 13 years.

Herb and Anne married on August 14, 1965 and cherished each of their 57 years together. Herb would often fondly tell the story of meeting this “bombshell” Anne and detail their first date golfing and going to the Dairy Queen. Together, they raised three children, Caroline, Barb, and Bill, and actively supported their sporting events covering many states. Herb had a passion for golf, tennis, the Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes. He was completely devoted to his wife and kids. Herb spent his life teaching and displaying the importance of kindness and generosity to others. Central to everything was his unwavering faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Herb is certainly in Heaven right now.

Herb is survived by his wife, Anne; daughter, Barb Knudten; son, Bill (Brooke) Knudten; son-in-law, Bill Godfrey; grandchildren, Andrew (Megan), Kathryn (Peter), Matthew (Reiley), Luke, Nick, Joey, Kylie, Caitlin and Izzy; great-grandchildren, Noah and Beau; sister-in-law, Laura Locher; niece; five nephews; and “borrowed son”, Clint Lunden.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Cherrill Cizewski; and daughter, Caroline K. Godfrey.

Memorial gifts may be directed to The Alex and Ali Foundation (https://www.thealexandalifoundation.com/), in support of young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.

The family gives sincere thanks to Herb’s team of caregivers from Home Instead (especially Shayla) and St. Croix Hospice.