Leslie S. KnudsenLeslie S. Knudsen passed away peacefully at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, WA on November 20, 2014 after suffering a massive stroke. He was 87 years old. Les was born on January 22, 1927 in Princeton, IL to Laura and Adolf Knudsen. He spent the first 12 years of his life at the Coal Creek Country Club in Sheffield, IL where his father was the greens keeper. After his father passed away, he helped his mother run the golf course. She remarried Norman Swainson and they moved to Grand Rapids, MI then later to Argo, IL before finally settling in Brookfield, IL where he graduated from Riverside Brookfield HS. He enlisted in the Navy at 17 years of age and became an Aviation Machinist Mate 3rd Class. After training, he was sent to the South Pacific for the preparation of the invasion of Japan. Upon discharge, he attended River Falls State Teachers College in River Falls, WI studying agriculture. After college, he moved to Buda, IL where he started farming and met his future wife, Barbara Grubb, whom he married on August 10, 1952. They had 3 daughters, and he continued farming for 10 years then moved to Ellensburg, WA in 1963. He bought his farm and enrolled in CWSC, taking classes in Industrial Arts for a year, while he worked at Boise Cascade as Night Watchmen. He also did carpentry work for Paul Lunstrum, and before he retired he worked at the Ellensburg Phone Company for 10 years. Farming and animals were the focus of his life. He was active in the Cattlemen's Association, served as Chairman of the Kittitas Reclamation District and as a member of the Ellensburg Rodeo Board, working closely with the Yakama Indians. Les was, also, a long time member of the Moose Lodge. He was preceded in death by his father, step-father and mother. He is survived by his wife and 3 daughters; Julie (Curtis) Mullen, Mary (Dave) Whitehurst and Ellen (Tim) Eastham. His brothers include; Marv (Midge) Swainson, Jim Swainson, Bill (Val) Swainson. His sisters include; Rosalie Foster, Beth (David) Kitts and Susie (Tom) Rogers. His grandchildren: Colby (Carissa) Bacon & Tara (Jose) Preciado, Lindsay (Steve) VanLith & Laura (Thomas) Dichero, Paige (Darius) Eastham & Jeff Eastham and 5 great grandchildren, with one on the way.There will be a viewing held, open to the public, at Brookside Funeral Home on Sunday November 23, 2014 from 5-7pm. A graveside service will take place at IOOF Cemetery Monday November 24, 2014 at 1pm with a reception following at the Moose Lodge.In lieu of flowers, please donate funds to .