Helma Gedella Knutson

Helma Gedella Knutson, 100, of Sheldon, (Caledonia, MN), passed through death into the eternal care of our Lord on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at Valley View Nursing Home in Houston, MN. She was born September 15, 1907 on the family farm at Esmond, ND to Knute and Clara (Askim) Veum. She was baptized at the Lutheran Church in Esmond on October 6, 1907, and confirmed at Riceford Lutheran Church rural Spring Grove.She attended school in Esmond until the age of 14 when the family moved to Riceford, MN so she could attend high school in Mabel, MN. After graduation, Helma attended Normal Training in Spring Grove to become a teacher. She taught in rural schools in Houston County for 8 years. On June 10, 1933, she married Anton Knutson and they were married for 65 years before his passing on March 31, 1999. She was a member of the Sheldon Homemakers and went to the Extension Office often to learn the newest and best ways to do things. She was very proud of being named "Resident of The Year" at the nursing home in 2008. To this union were born three sons; Lawrence (Loretta), Stanley (Ruth) both of Caledonia, and Trygve (Janet) of Houston; 9 grandchildren; Alan (Debbie), Mark, Lorna (Ray Calvert), Joan, Roger, Brian (Brenda), Kevin (Margaret), Jenell (Steve Pearson), Pam (Neil Beckman). 21 great-grandchildren; Emma (Andy Fort), Jesse, Amber, Taylor, Casey, Miranda, Erin, Severin, Sheldon, Logan, Dustin, Ashlee, Nicholas & Cole Knutson; Tate, Josie & Adalyn Pearson; Olivia & Grayden Beckman; Shana Guyer; Dana Calvert; two great-great-grandchildren, Katie Guyer and Aiden Fort; brother-in-law Orvel Treangen of Spring Grove; and many friends, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Anton; two brothers Lennie and Lester; sister Valborg Treangen; two granddaughters-in-law, Teresa Knutson and Molly Knutson; and her parents. Helma was a loving mother and grandmother. Her hands were never idle and she spent many hours making quilts, tatting and crocheting beautiful doilies, Christmas ornaments, hearts, crosses and other items which her friends and relatives received and prized. She was an avid reader, and filled in many crossword puzzles. This helped keep her mind very sharp. The family wishes to thank the staff at Valley View Nursing Home for the wonderful care they gave Helma since she entered the home in October of 2000. The Funeral Service for Helma will be at 11:00am Saturday, July 26, 2008 at Bethany Evangelical Free Church in Houston with The Reverend Steven Meyer officiating. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Caledonia at 2:00pm Saturday. Friends may call from 5-7pm on Friday, July 25 at Hoff Funeral Home - Houston Chapel and also one hour prior to the service at the church. Please feel free to share a memory of Helma with her family, sign the on-line guestbook, and view her Video Tribute at www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/24870