Visitation: Family will greet visitors one hour prior to the service.
Service: Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2026 at Canton Lutheran Church, Canton, SD.
Albert “Curly” Knorr, age 100, died Thursday, May 28, 2026 at the Sioux Falls VA Hospice Cottage. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2026 at Canton Lutheran Church, Canton, SD. Family will greet visitors one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Canton Lutheran Church or the Canton Community Center.
Curly was born on April 15, 1926 in Canton, SD to Harry and Hazel (Stengel) Knorr. He grew up on a farm near Canton and attended Grand Valley School. Curly was stationed in Okinawa, Japan as a military policeman for the US Army during WWII.
He married Shirley Johnson on October 11, 1953 at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Hudson, SD. Allan, Steve, Cheryl, Cindy, and Sandra were born to this union. He married Sonja Lovaas on January 3, 1987 at Canton Lutheran Church.
Curly was the Canton City Cop for 21 years, retiring in 1988. He also drove school bus during this time. He then worked at Olson Plumbing for several years. He also delivered cars for Denny Gasper Chevrolet and cleaned Farmers State Bank and the Canton ASCS office to keep out of trouble. He was a prankster who loved a good joke, going to coffee, playing cards, cleaning his guns, and watching westerns. He hated vegetables and sports. He was a longtime member of Canton Lutheran Church, Canton VFW Post 3164, and the Canton Color and Honor Guard.
Curly is survived by his children, Allan (Gloria) Knorr, Steve Knorr, Cheryl (Kevin) McCann, Cindy Roberts, and Sandra (Bob) Lems; Sonja’s children, Julie (Steve) Dobbe, Jeaneen Hutson, Jackie Green, Carol (Greg) Rutherford, and John Reiners (Michelle); 14 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; many step-grandchildren, his cat Phyllis, along with numerous extended relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sonja; infant son, Brian; grandson, David Knorr; great-grandson, Keegan Hartwick; sister, Evelyn McDonald; and step-son, Jeffrey Ness.
so sorry for your loss Mac and Carol
Veenis and. Knorr live across the street for years.They were a wonderful family my thoughts and prayers are with you God Bless
MY SINCERE SYMPATHY TO ALL OF CURLYS FAMILY IN THEIR LOSS. LOTS OF FUN MEMORIES IN PAST YEARS, AND GREAT MEMORIES OF WORKING WITH HIM IN CITY HALL. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIS HUG AT HIS PARTY. GOD BLESS.
My condolences to you and your family! He made it past 100 years, what special memories for you all!
So sorry for you loss Sending 🙏🏻🙏🏻 Cindy to you and your family at this difficult moment.
Condolences to Curley’s family. We so enjoyed our visit with Curly at his 100th birthday party. He always said “I knew you better when you were young.” He was always so kind and funny at our family get togethers.
He will be missed by many who respected and loved him.
Penny & Al Thorson
1st cousins on our mother’s side
Im so sorry for you loss 🥲. I was the manager at Dennys at 10th and Curly came in often to see me. Then when I moved to Perkins I was honored to see him there also. I broke my foot so I was not able to return there so I lost track of him. My Dad is in Canton in the nursing home so I asked often to see if anyone knew if he was still in Canton. My Dad is also VA but in Canton or I may have seen him again. Curly was an absolute sweetheart and will definitely be missed. I just got a message from my other manager that he had passed away. Im so very sorry for your family.
Thank you Curly for all your years of love and service to your family, which included the Canton community. Truly an icon, of which I think HyVee thought of with their moniker “A helpful smile in every aisle,” Curly exuded that friendly smile to all those he met. It was an honor to know you sir!
To the Knorr family: We are so saddened by the passing of Mr Knorr. Back when Curley went on the Honor Flight to Washington DC, he and our Dad,Harold Ramse, spent the trip reminicing about leaving for basic training together. Then to be on the same Honor Flight brought them full circle. From reading both of their obituaries I think we can say we had the best fathers who faithfully served our country proudly in the war, served our local communities and performed honor guard duties for years thru the VFW. They also loved their families and I am proud that my Dad and Curly were so alike. May 100 years of memories provide you with comfort and peace. He ran a good race.
So sorry for your loss. I was a wild, troubled teenager and Curly, in his official capacity, was always very kind to me. I respected him greatly.
My dad, Harold Ramse, from Lennox joined the Army with Curly. After they enlisted, they went their separate ways and didn’t see each other until about 65 years later when they were both welcomed onto the Honor Flight out of Sioux Falls. They saw each other and recognized each other at the airport among all of the veterans and families there. They spent the entire Honor Flight as seat partners, etc. My dad enjoyed the Honor Flight but enjoyed it even more because his friend, Curly was with him. They got caught up on their lives, their families, their children and their shared values as veterans. Rest in peace, Curly. Look dad up in heaven. He’s been waiting for you.
So sorry for your family’s loss.
So sorry for your loss, Aunt Cheryl and family. Love and hugs to you.
My sincere condolences to the whole family. I have a lot of fine memories of Curly and his family. He will be missed, and he was loved by many.
Curly was loved by many he will surely be missed. I have many fond memories of him and his family.
To the Knorr Family, We are so sorry for your loss. Your Dad was a great guy and will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Love & Hugs-Sonja & Mick
So sorry for your loss! Curley’s was a great stepfather for 40 years. We all loved him very much. He was a great man and dear friend. We Will miss him very much.
Our sympathies to Curly’s entire family. Todd was always grateful to him because when Todd was young and in trouble, Curly would pick him up and instead of arresting him, would make sure he got home safely!! I always enjoyed being his neighbor on Bridge Street and have fond memories of visiting with him and Sonja. Rest in Peace Curly. Todd and Tanna Gries