Shirley L. Knutson, 93

Published 10:24 am Thursday, March 10, 2016

Shirley L. Knutson, 93, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, died Tuesday, March 8, 2016, at Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie.

Shirley L. Knutson, 93

Shirley Louise Lea was born Feb. 12, 1923, in Newry Township, Minnesota, the daughter of Alvin H. and Pauline (Peterson) Lea. She attended country school District 111 and graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1940. A lifelong resident of Blooming Prairie, Shirley worked at various businesses in the area over the years. On April 30, 1954, she was united in marriage to Charles Knutson at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church. The couple raised three children. Shirley was a longtime member of First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie, and active in the Sons of Norway. She was an avid bowler and enjoyed caring for and spending time with her family.

Survivors include her children, Dean Knutson of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, and Kristal (Doug) Paulson of Albert Lea, Minnesota; granddaughter Brooke Paulson, also of Albert Lea; sisters-in-law, Doris Lea and Sharon Lea, both of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota; brother-in-law, Donald Yentsch of Blooming Prairie; nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Alvin and Pauline Lea; her husband Charles Knutson in 2011; son Paul in 1973; and brothers, Marvin “Mike” Lea and Kenneth Lea; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Knutson, Elayne Yentsch and Phyllis Anderson; brothers-in-law, Ordell Knutson and Gerth Anderson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2016, at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, with Pastor Charles Leonard and Pastor Heidi Heimgartner officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in First Lutheran Cemetery. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.