Merlyn Norman Knutson III

Merlyn Norman Knutson III

October 24, 1986 ~ January 24, 2026

“Waohoda Mani”

(Walks With Respect)

Merlyn Norman Knutson III, passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at Trinity Medical Center, Minot, ND with loving family at his side. He was 39.

The Wake will be held at St. Michael's Wellness Center on Sunday, February 1, 2026 beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a time of Prayer and Remembrance at 7:00 p.m. The procession to St. Michael will leave at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday from City Plaza, Devils Lake. Funeral Services will be on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. also at St. Michael's Wellness Center with Reverend Paul Schuster officiating. Merlyn will be laid to rest in the Devils Lake Cemetery immediately following the funeral service.

Merlyn N. Knutson III was born on October 24, 1986, at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake ND, the son of David Allen Lawrence and Michelle (Knutson) Reiger. Merlyn grew up in Fort Totten with his Mom and adopted Dad, Roger Yankton. Later in life he moved with his family to Devils Lake.

Merlyn attended Four Winds School where he played basketball and football. He continued his schooling and earned his GED. He decided to pursue employment in order to support his family. Merlyn later decided to continue his education at Cankdeska Cikana Community College. In 2013 he graduated with an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Tribal Administration and an Associates of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts.

Merlyn enjoyed spending time with his Mom and Roger travelling to softball games, basketball games and sightseeing. They travelled to many pow-wows where Merlyn participated as a grass dancer and also travelled to many rodeos, and he took home many trophies for riding sheep and calves.

Even though Merlyn graduated from college his passion was to cook. He worked in many restaurants, but his home was “The Ranch Steakhouse” working for Joe. He called all his co-workers his extended family, always going home to tell his kids about his evening. The Ranch is where his two boys got their first job and taught them the value of hard work. Merlyn was very proud when his 2 boys graduated and was looking forward to his daughter graduating in May of this year.

Throughout most of his life and as an only child, Merlyn’s mom was his main priority. He would go to the ends of the world to take care of his mom. But once he met Leandra in 2003, his love extended to her and priorities changed because in 2005 he started his own family. Merlyn strived to make his family proud and to show his children they can be whoever they want to be and to excel in life. He always told his kids to learn their history so they would not repeat it. As much as he loved and doted on his own family, he continued to always be his mom’s right-hand man. Always helping her in any way he could. Merlyn always wanted to spend his free time with his grandparents Chuck and MaryJo and his uncles and cousins who were similar in age. They made many happy memories together.

Merlyn’s pastime was spent with his mom and kids going to parks, hanging out or just spending time at home watching movies or just visiting.

Though Merlyn may no longer walk beside us, his spirit will be with us always. Rest in peace.

Merlyn’s loving family include his mother Michelle (Gary) Reiger; adopted dad Roger Yankton Sr.; his precious love Leandra Thomas; children Landen, David, Leelaha, and Merlyn Knutson IV, Patricia, Leelynn and Kezawin Thomas, Keon WalkingEagle, and Keshaun who he and Leandra helped raise from a baby and taking him as a brother, teaching him about life; siblings Keshaun (Clevelynn) Feather and Phillip “PJ” (Fretzie)Lohnes Jr.; grandparent Joseph (Clarice) Lawrence Sr.; adopted brothers and sisters Cassie Reiger, Shelby (Danie) Hendricks, Dana Yankton, Leona (Leon) LaRoque, Carley Yankton, Remi Yankton, Roger Yankton Jr., Ryan “Chubs” Yankton Sr.; nieces and nephews Taylena Feather, Cruz Touche and Archer Sage Lohnes; Merlyn’s pugs (fur babies) Sapa and Socks; uncles Raymond (Maxine) Buckles, Emery Greywater, Kenny Greywater, Joseph “Cowboy” (Jeanette) Lawrence Jr., Darrell Lawrence, Gerald “Pat” (Wendy) Lawrence; aunts Marilyn (Phil) Knutson, Marcella (Pete) Longie, Kimberly Knutson, Cheryl Lawrence, Alma Lawrence GoodIron; great aunts Marlene (John) Davis, Bernita (Greg) LoneTree, Mary McKay, Alice Davis, Caroline (Martin) Chavez; great uncle Pete (Harlene) Davis; cousins Tanya, Tawny, Monica and John Lunde, Jeremy, Wayne, Jessica and Mitchell Buckles, Tony, Patricia, Marshall and Martina Longie, Johnathan and Estraya Knutson, Rebecca and Ashley Peltier, Shilo and Robin Knutson, Amanda Joshua, Pepper Iron Moccasin, Chris McCloud, Devin Yankton, Lacey, LaRissa and Dakota McKay, Johanna GoodIron, Douglas and Kenny Baker Jr., Joseph (Marnie) Lawrence, Kyle Lawrence, Elisha (Mitch) Poulson, Jodi Secret, Lonnie (Clay) Lawrence, Sammy Lawrence, Krista Lawrence, Cory (Kayla) Lawrence, Melissa Loreno, Courtney Wadsworth, Marissa Redfox, Marcus (Rose) Lawrence, Riley and Calee Lawrence, Kyle Charboneau Sr., Cletus (Bonnie) Lawrence, Diane (Jerry) Huwe, Roberta (Kirk) Sweeney, Anna Rose Flanagan, Ambrose Lawrence, Debbie (Clayton) Peltier, Linda (Raymond) Peltier, Lori (Ermen) Brown, Tammy (Dale) Fitzke, Paul (Robbin) Lawrence, Della Belgarde.

He was preceded in death by his dad David Lawrence; daughter Katrina Rardon; grandmother Viola (Davis) Lawrence, Chuck and MaryJo Greywater, Merlyn “Bud” Knutson Sr.; great grandparents Anthony Charboneau, Rose Snodgrass, John (Angie) Lawrence, Ambrose Lawrence; aunts and uncles Carol Ann Lawrence, Lloyd Davis Sr., Carla Jen Wilkie, Delores Lohnes, Antionette Ironheart, Corrine Chaske, Rita Belgarde, Danielle Lawrence, Mathew Lawrence, Leland Azure, Jonathan Lawrence, John GoodIron, Merlyn “Baby” Knutson Jr., Melvin “John” Knutson; cousins Shannon Buckles, Michael Buckles, Chad Buckles.

Pallbearers will be Aaron Wheeler, John Hendrickson, Gunsu Vim, Brian Anderson, Jeremy Buckles, Mitchell Buckles, Phillip “PJ” Lohnes, Jonathan Knutson.

Honorary Bearers: Ann Wadsworth, the Ranch Steakhouse Family/Coworkers, Cindy Hawk and Family, Spirit Lake Tribal Health Services, Molly Demarce and family, Myra Dubois and family, Central Middle School/Devils Lake School, Spirit Lake Tribal Council, Charboneau Family, McDonald Family, Devonne Robertson, Angela Garcia, Leora Fox, Lacey Fox. Sorry if we forgot to name anyone. It was not our intent, please forgive us.

All Drum Groups are welcome to share their songs in memory of Merlyn.