Gladys M. Knutson, 89, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, surrounded by loving family at Good Samaritan Society – Comforcare, Austin.

Gladys Mildred Iverson was born on March 19, 1929, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the daughter of Benhard and Linda (Olson) Iverson. She attended Longfellow Grade School and graduated from La Crosse Central High School in 1947. On April 14, 1951, Gladys was united in marriage to Robert Knutson in La Crosse. They were neighbors as children, and as preteens they met at the ice-skating rink. Together they had two boys, Ricky and Randy. She enjoyed her role as homemaker, wife, and mother. In 1955, Robert and Gladys moved to Austin for Robert’s work, and after her boys were grown, Gladys worked part-time at the YMCA in Austin. The couple spent 19 winters in Quartzsite, Arizona, where they enjoyed four-wheeling together. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed going to their cabin, hunting, fishing, and loved hummingbirds. Gladys was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries in Austin. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Knutson of Austin; sons, Ricky (Marie) Knutson of Austin and Randy (Sally) Knutson of Manila, Philippines; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Linda (Gaylord) Anderson of Omaha, Nebraska; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Benhard and Linda Iverson; brother, Morie Iverson; and sister, Blanche.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Austin with Pastor Mike Olmsted officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 4, 2018, at the Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Sunday at the church. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin. Memorials can be directed to the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Austin. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.