Mildred Knudson

The Funeral Service for Mildred "Millie" H. Knudson of Albert Lea, will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at Salem Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Reverend Mark Niethammer will officiate. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery . Visitation will be from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service and one hour before the service at the church. Millie died early on Monday, April 30, 2012 at St. John's Lutheran Home. She was 91. She was born on April 19, 1921, in Slayton, Minnesota the daughter of Louis and Lula(Powell) Quaintance. Millie graduated from Slayton High School. During her high school years she worked at the local bakery and earned the nickname "Donut". Mildred married Elroy "Ole" Knudson on February 3, 1946 in Westbrook, MN. They lived in Slayton, Wayzata for a short time, and then they made Albert Lea their home. For a few years during the '70's Ole's work moved them to Stewartville, later returning to Albert Lea. While in Albert Lea, Millie had worked at Coonradt's Grocery, the Ford Garage, and the for more than 25 years for the Freeborn County Sheriff's Department. She retired in 1983. A member of Salem Lutheran Church since 1953, Millie had been active in "Sew and Tell", Mary Magdalene Circle, bible studies and served on several committees. Millie loved baking cookies and will be especially remembered for her brownies and "famous" sugar cookies, made with love. Millie is survived by three daughters: Sanna (Louis) Stefanski of Fairmont, MN, Nancy Jo (Larry) Kraft of Denver, CO; Gwen (Ronald) Herem of Eagan, MN; grandchildren: Luke (Melinda) Stefanski of Hastings, MN, Sara Stefanski of Omaha, NE, Austin (Missy) Kraft of Castle Rock, CO, Aaron (Elizabeth) Kraft of Arden, N.C., Peter (Darcey) Herem of Bloomington, MN, David (Cameo) Herem of Lakeville, MN, and Jacob (Amber) Herem of Longmont, CO; great grandchildren: Joseph and Emily Stefanski, Brookelyn, Kaylie, Kaden and Brady Kraft, Sean and Grace Anne Kraft, Lydia and Leo Herem, George Herem and Hailie Frost; sister Lois Oldewurtel and special niece Marilyn Zinnel of Slayton, MN. She is also survived by extended family and life time friends Holly and Jan Laak and family of Inver Grove Heights, MN, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ole in 1987; brothers Kenneth, Donald and Charles and sisters Viola Koob and Marie Johnson.