Arlene Knutson
d. July 27, 2024
Arlene Knutson, age 95, of Belview and formerly Granite Falls, Minnesota passed away surrounded by family Saturday, July 27, 2024 at the Parkview Home in Belview, Minnesota. Funeral Services will be held Friday, August 2, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sacred Heart. Visitation from 10:00 – 11:00, one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.
Arlene Wilma Knutson was born on October 19, 1928 to C.W. “Willie” and Alfa (Olson) Rud at Montevideo, Minnesota. Arlene was baptized and confirmed at the Jevnaker Lutheran Church. She grew up on the family farm north of Montevideo and attended country school located on the home farm. Arlene then went on to school in Milan and then Montevideo through her sophomore year. Later in life, she received her GED. She went on to receive her nurse’s aide certification at the Montevideo Hospital.
Arlene was married to Randy Olson in 1949. They had four children together and were later divorced. She lived in Montevideo until she married Harlen Knutson on May 28, 1969 and moved to Granite Falls. Arlene worked as a nurse’s aide at the Granite Falls Manor for 24 years. She loved her job (and the people loved her) and retired in October 1993. Arlene and Harlen moved to Sacred Heart and lived there until he died in 2008. She then moved to Henry Hill Apartments in Granite Falls where she lived until September 2023 when she moved to Parkwood Apartments in Belview, Minnesota.
Arlene was a very loving and caring mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother. She loved being with family and friends and socializing with everyone. Arlene loved to play piano, crochet, sew, work crossword puzzles, sing, dance, cook and in her later years became an avid Twins fan. She crocheted many gifts for family and friends.
Arlene loved to travel. She and Harlen went south to Mission, Texas for several years. The last 12 years she flew to Mission, Texas and stayed with her oldest son, Lloyd and his wife, Gail for several weeks each winter.
Arlene had a very strong faith all her life and was very active in her church. She was very proud that she was a life-long member of the VFW Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary and was very active in those organizations.
Arlene is survived by her sons, Lloyd (Gail) Olson of Mission, TX, Larry (Barb) Olson of Willmar; daughter, LeeAnn (Gregg) Boushek of Echo; step-son, David (Valerie) Knutson; grandchildren, Michael Olson, Cory Olson , Angela (Tyler) Gehrking, Adam (Amanda) Olson, Amanda (Al) Zeug, Sam (Alison) Boushek; step-grandchildren, Kelly Baragar, Carrie Knutson, Austin Knutson, Michael (Angie) Stampe, Tammy (John) Koski; great grandchildren, Grant, Katelynn, Myles, Livia, McCoy, Emma, Harper, Sawyer, Ivy, Rose; step-great grandchildren, Skyler, Nevada, Hunter, Kayla, Anna, Alexander, Kyle; great, great grandchildren, Gunnar, Caleb, LilyAnn; brother, Leroy (Sheri) Rud; sister, Diane McClain; brother-in-law, Don (Betty) Knutson; and many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Harlen; son, Gerald; parents; brother, Carroll Rud; sister-in-law, Adeline Rud; brother-in-law, Mike McClain; nephew, Daniel Rud; niece, Gayle Landt.
Arlene will be greatly missed. Blessed be her memory.
Arlene Wilma Knutson was born on October 19, 1928 to C.W. “Willie” and Alfa (Olson) Rud at Montevideo, Minnesota. Arlene was baptized and confirmed at the Jevnaker Lutheran Church. She grew up on the family farm north of Montevideo and attended country school located on the home farm. Arlene then went on to school in Milan and then Montevideo through her sophomore year. Later in life, she received her GED. She went on to receive her nurse’s aide certification at the Montevideo Hospital.
Arlene was married to Randy Olson in 1949. They had four children together and were later divorced. She lived in Montevideo until she married Harlen Knutson on May 28, 1969 and moved to Granite Falls. Arlene worked as a nurse’s aide at the Granite Falls Manor for 24 years. She loved her job (and the people loved her) and retired in October 1993. Arlene and Harlen moved to Sacred Heart and lived there until he died in 2008. She then moved to Henry Hill Apartments in Granite Falls where she lived until September 2023 when she moved to Parkwood Apartments in Belview, Minnesota.
Arlene was a very loving and caring mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother. She loved being with family and friends and socializing with everyone. Arlene loved to play piano, crochet, sew, work crossword puzzles, sing, dance, cook and in her later years became an avid Twins fan. She crocheted many gifts for family and friends.
Arlene loved to travel. She and Harlen went south to Mission, Texas for several years. The last 12 years she flew to Mission, Texas and stayed with her oldest son, Lloyd and his wife, Gail for several weeks each winter.
Arlene had a very strong faith all her life and was very active in her church. She was very proud that she was a life-long member of the VFW Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary and was very active in those organizations.
Arlene is survived by her sons, Lloyd (Gail) Olson of Mission, TX, Larry (Barb) Olson of Willmar; daughter, LeeAnn (Gregg) Boushek of Echo; step-son, David (Valerie) Knutson; grandchildren, Michael Olson, Cory Olson , Angela (Tyler) Gehrking, Adam (Amanda) Olson, Amanda (Al) Zeug, Sam (Alison) Boushek; step-grandchildren, Kelly Baragar, Carrie Knutson, Austin Knutson, Michael (Angie) Stampe, Tammy (John) Koski; great grandchildren, Grant, Katelynn, Myles, Livia, McCoy, Emma, Harper, Sawyer, Ivy, Rose; step-great grandchildren, Skyler, Nevada, Hunter, Kayla, Anna, Alexander, Kyle; great, great grandchildren, Gunnar, Caleb, LilyAnn; brother, Leroy (Sheri) Rud; sister, Diane McClain; brother-in-law, Don (Betty) Knutson; and many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Harlen; son, Gerald; parents; brother, Carroll Rud; sister-in-law, Adeline Rud; brother-in-law, Mike McClain; nephew, Daniel Rud; niece, Gayle Landt.
Arlene will be greatly missed. Blessed be her memory.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Arlene Knutson, please visit our flower store.