A life of adventure – Norwegian-American Knut Karlsen profiled

By Solveig Lee For the Norwegian American Weekly Though a long-time resident of Washington state, Knut Karlsen grew up across the Akerselva River from Oslo in what was once a separate town named Grünerløkka.  Due to the river, several factories had been built there, and the area became home for many in the working class.  Youth received their education at the local gymnasium. In 1914, however, the neighborhood built its own sports club, Grüner.  This was a great arena for all kinds of sports—including skating, playing soccer, wrestling, or boxing. Knut could look across from his fourth story apartment and view the arena directly across the street.  For three years, Knut boxed. Knut’s grandfather, Emil, had also lived nearby.  He took care of the horses for Nora, the largest brewery in Oslo.  He not only had perfect attendance for 32 years; Emil came up with