Gerald “Jerry” T. Knutson, of Albert Lea, Minnesota died on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. He was 85.

Jerry was born on July 6, 1932, in Sargeant, Minnesota the son of Theodore and Marvel (Stayner) Knutson. He attended school in Sargeant and then graduated from Austin High School with the class of 1950.

He did various jobs after graduation and then was drafted in to the US Army in 1953, serving two years in Korea before his honorable discharge. He married Vallene Mees on June 8, 1957, at Trinity Lutheran Church near Dexter, Minnesota, and they celebrated almost 57 years together before she died in 2014. On Jan. 16, 2016, Jerry married Betty (Krueger) Patterson at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

In 1955, Jerry began work at Queen Products in Albert Lea, where he worked for 5 years. He then worked for the Albert Lea Post Office for more than 31 years before retiring in 1991.

He was a member of  Our Savior’s Lutheran Church American Legion and the VFW and the senior bowling league. Jerry enjoyed delivering Meals on the Go for more than 20 years. Some of Jerry’s favorite things included watching sporting events, particularly those of his family’s, fishing at Pelican Lake near Orr, Minnesota, traveling, playing cards and games, and a good game of golf. Jerry’s most treasured time was that spent with family.

Jerry is survived by his wife Betty of Albert Lea; three children: Paul (Sue) Knutson of Mantorville, Minnesota, Cheri (John) Butler of Albert Lea, Rodney (Sheila) Knutson of Olathe, Kansas; grandchildren and great grandchildren: Aaron (Heather) Knutson, Brooks and Tayla of Kasson, Minnesota, Casey (David) Berge, Kamryn, Mac, and another blessing on the way, of Mantorville, Riley Knutson of Mantorville, Jared (Julie) Butler, Bennett and Jacob of Brownsburg, Indiana, Brady, Piper and Sawyer Knutson of Olathe; sisters: Arletta Bungum of Sargeant, Judy Bungum of Austin, Minnesota, Ruth (George) Emro of Owatonna, Minnesota, brothers: Ted (Ermadell) Knutson of Owatonna, Neil (Judy) Knutson of Brownsdale, Minnesota; step children and their families: Brenda (David) Dickman of Austin, Julie Prust of St. Peter, Minnesota, Alan (Kim) Lebeck of Manchester, MN, Lori Londo of Mpls, MN;  sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Beverly Mees of Elkton, MN, Nordean and Dorothy Krueger of Albert Lea, Marilyn and Dale Horning of St. Paul; also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Vallene, two sisters Alice Peterson and Sharron Falconer, brothers Knute and Donald Knutson and four grandchildren in infancy.

Funeral Services for Jerry, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. David Emmons and the

Rev. Wayne Halvorson will officiate. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, and again one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be in Lakewood Cemetery, Albert Lea. Military Honors will be accorded by Albert Lea Veteran’s Organizations.