Sentimental heart throbs were the force behind the building of a bowery at the Stone Reservoir Campground recently, as one family returned to bless the land that had blessed them. 

Meeting the last week of June for their annual family reunion, fourteen members of the Lester Albert Knutson family built the recreational structure in just a few days’ time, providing a place for picnics and family gatherings for future visitors to the campground. 

But their benevolence was not exactly unmotivated.  You see, the park site was their playground growing up.  

A large two-story frame house, just north of the Reservoir Park, was their home for many years.  An though it has since burned down, the memories engrained in the hearts of the Knutson family members who grew up there are alive and well. 

The Knutson Family Reunion, began in 1964, was first held in Lava Hot Springs and Wendell, Idaho; then in Salt Lake City and Grantsville, Utah; because that’s where family members moved after marrying and moving away. 

But in 1973, after Caroline Knutson, mother to the Knutson children, passed away, it was suggested by their father that the reunion be held at the Stone Reservoir, in remembrance of days gone by. 

Family members thought it was a great idea, and the reunion has been held there ever since.  The last week in June is the appointed date because it is close to Caroline and Lester’s wedding anniversary. 

For many years, Doug Knutson, who lives in Grantsville, Utah, arrived at the campground a week early in order to set up temporary shelter over the tables before everyone else arrived.   

Last year, John Knutson, of Pocatello, approached the Forest Service in Malad about the prospects of building a permanent shelter on the spot.  The proposal was that the family would furnish the labor if the agency would provide the materials for such a structure. 

This year the Forest Service took the family up on their offer.  And the shelter was built in honor of the five generations of Knutson family members who have used it for the last 17 years. 

The Knutson family hopes the shelter will be enjoyed by visitors to the Park.  They will certainly enjoy it each summer when they return for their annual visit to the palace of their roots. 

Those participating in the building of the shelter were: Doug Knutson, Barry Knutson, Loren Knutson and Patrick Knutson, all of Grantsville, Utah; John Knutson, Howard Lowe, and Dell Ray Dye of Pocatello; Gale and Jim Knutson of Wendell; Dan Knutson of West Valley, Utah; Verlin Sterner of Wendover, Nevada; Eddie Sterner of Gooding, Idaho; Vern Sterner of Twin Falls, Idaho; and Rick Knutson of Davenport, Iowa.