Verla Knudson, 95, died Saturday, April 1, 2017, at The Neighborhoods at Brookview in Brookings.
Visitation is 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Rude’s Funeral Home in Brookings. Funeral services are at 1 p.m. Saturday at Scandia Lutheran Church in Centerville. Burial is at Riverside Cemetery, Centerville. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Verla Evelyn (Holt) Knudson entered this world on May 29, 1921, in McCook County, near Montrose, to Thor and Rachel (Ostrem) Holt. She was baptized on July 10, 1921, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hooker and confirmed at Scandia Lutheran Church in Centerville in 1935. Verla was one of nine children raised on a farm near Wakonda, , graduating from Frog Creek School in Clay County.
On Sept. 28, 1938 at Immanuel Lutheran Church near Wakonda, Verla married Stanley K. Knudson. They had seven. They farmed near the communities of Centerville, and Beresford. Together they owned and operated their own business in Brookings.
As a devoted wife and mother, Verla worked alongside her husband during their years of farming, helping with the dairy operation all while taking care of their home and children. After purchasing the Wayside Motel in Brookings, she labored diligently to help make the business a success. Stanley was deep into genealogy so in 1977, their first trip overseas was to Norway with a second trip taken in 1979. Lasting friendships were formed with the many friends and relatives they met in Norway.
After selling their business in 1982, they retired to Centerville taking a third trip to Norway in 1984. Verla walked more than 50 cemeteries to help Stanley complete research to update community cemetery records. She also enjoyed time with her sisters, Thelma and Verda, as they stitched quilts together.
Verla demonstrated her gift of hospitality as she welcomed guests to her home and kept them well fed, Norwegian style. She was a thoughtful, loving, and generous lady with a wonderful sense of humor. Throughout her life, her deep-rooted, unselfish, Christian spirit was revealed by her thoughts and deeds.
A rewarding milestone was the celebration of their 75th wedding anniversary in 2013. After Stanley’s death, Verla continued to enjoy her home and friends at StoneyBrook Suites Assisted Living in Brookings.
Survivors are: children; Kenneth (Joan), James (Tyke) both of Brookings, Gordon (Jeannie) of Sioux Falls, Betty Northcutt and Gail (Steven) Monteith both of Arlington; brother, Gene (Bonnie) Holt of Santa Barbara Calif.; 17 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren; and son-in-law, Bennett Nelson of Cherokee Iowa.
She was preceded in death by: her husband on April 1, 2014; daughters, LaVonne in 1941 and Vera Nelson in 2015; granddaughter, Jennifer Knudson in 2005; son-in-law, Woody Northcutt in 2011; brothers, William, Joseph, Orville, and Arthur; sisters, Gladys Bishop, Thelma Ward, and her twin sister, Verda Erickson.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.
