Funeral services for Gerald “Jerry” T. Knutson of Albert Lea will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Revs. David Emmons and Wayne Halvorson will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service and again one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Lakewood Cemetery in Albert Lea. Military honors will be accorded by Albert Lea veterans organizations.

Gerald died Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. He was 85.

He was born July 6, 1932, in Sargeant, 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 into the U.S. 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 and they celebrated almost 57 years together before she died in 2014.

On Jan. 16, 2016, Jerry married Betty (Krueger) Patterson at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.

In 1955 Jerry began work at Queen Products in Albert Lea, where he worked for five 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, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, 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, 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, Cheri (John) Butler of Albert Lea and Rodney (Sheila) Knutson of Olathe, Kansas; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Aaron (Heather) Knutson, Brooks and Tayla of Kasson, 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, and Brady, Piper and Sawyer Knutson of Olathe; sisters Arletta Bungum of Sargeant, Judy Bungum of Austin and Ruth (George) Emro of Owatonna; brothers Ted (Ermadell) Knutson of Owatonna and Neil (Judy) Knutson of Brownsdale; stepchildren and their families: Brenda (David) Dickman of Austin, Julie Prust of St. Peter, Alan (Kim) Lebeck of Manchester and Lori Londo of Minneapolis; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Beverly Mees of Elkton, Nordean and Dorothy Krueger of Albert Lea, and Marilyn and Dale Horning of St. Paul; and he is 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.