Emerald "Dixie" Knudson, age 104, formerly of Kenosha, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at Union Hospital in Terre Haute, IN surrounded by his family.

Born in Livingston County, IL on July 20, 1920, he was the son of the late George Knudson and Etta (Stott) Burke. He moved to Kenosha at the age of five and attended local schools, graduating from Kenosha High School in 1938. After high school he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp and was stationed in Iron River, MI. While there he took math classes through the University of Wisconsin. Upon his return home in 1939, he worked at American Brass and purchased a farm with his mother.

In 1942, Emerald was drafted in into the United States Army Air Corps and proudly served his country during WWII, with tours in Africa and Europe. He earned the rank of Tech Sargent and was an aerial photographer sighting and photographing bombing targets on B24 Bombers. He was preparing to deploy to Japan when the atomic bombs ended the war and he was honorably discharged in 1945. His pictures are simply incredible.

On October 23, 1945, at Grace Lutheran Church in Kenosha he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Mary Bielewicz. Together they raised four wonderful children and enjoyed many years at their Pleasant Prairie farm. A loving couple for over 72 years, Mary passed away on May 12, 2018.

Emerald was employed by Lockwood Oil Company and then delivered milk for both Landgren's and Golden Bell Dairy. He later was employed with the Village of Pleasant Prairie Highway Department, retiring in 1982.

Throughout his life, Emerald worked on the family farm, played softball in the city league, and was a softball coach. He was a Green Bay Packer season ticket holder and enjoyed the games, including the Ice Bowl in 1967, but most of all he loved spending time with family and friends.

He was many things to many people, a son, loving husband and father, caring grandfather and great grandfather, a dear friend and kind neighbor. Emerald will be dearly missed by his children, Patricia (Dan) Wells, Carol Chirempes and David (Linda) Knudson; special friend Tom Peterson,  seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Along with his parents, stepfather Lee Burke, and wife Mary, Emerald was also preceded in death by his son, William.

Service Info

A gathering of relatives and friends honoring Emerald's life will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at the Piasecki Funeral Home, 3720 39th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53144.

A presentation of honors by the Patriot Guard Riders will take place at the funeral home at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

Following a procession, a Committal Service and inurnment, with full military honors will take place at 12:15 p.m. in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park, 4300 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI 53144.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kenosha Area Vietnam Veterans, 8823 104th Ave, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158.