Knutson, Aloua B. 1920-2009

KNUTSON, ERNST, WEST, THOMPSON, LUKSAN

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/9/2009 at 12:37:42

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, February 9, 2009

Aloua B. Knutson, 88, of Le Mars, died Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, at Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars.

Aloua Bertha Ernst was born Oct. 16, 1920, in Ticonic, Iowa, the daughter of William and Bertha Ann (West) Ernst. She was baptized Nov. 14, 1920, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mapleton. She graduated from 8th grade at Ticonic School.

Aloua married Don Thompson in 1938. To this union two children were born, Donald and Deanna. In 1948, Aloua married Fritz Luksan. The couple lived on a farm 10 miles south of Le Mars. They later moved to a farm west of Merrill. Fritz died Dec. 8, 1968.

In 1969 Aloua began her career at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars. She worked in the dietary department. She took courses at Ames and became the dietary supervisor, retiring in 1986.

In 1986, Aloua and Homer Knutson were married at Grace Lutheran Church in Le Mars. They moved to Sergeant Bluff, where Homer resided. When Homer died in 2001, Aloua returned to Le Mars. She lived at Prime Living Apartments before moving to Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars in October 2008.

She will be lovingly remembered by her son Donald Luksan Sr. and his wife Lorraine of Le Mars; her daughter Deanna Graham of Hastings, Neb.; seven grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; a sister Darlene Davis of Sioux City; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three husbands Don, Fritz and Homer; three grandchildren; two sisters Meretta Dale and Luella Redmond; and two brothers Orthel and Levon Ernst.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Grace Lutheran Church in Le Mars. Vicar Edward Durand, III, will officiate. Burial will follow at Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Hinton. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. today (Monday) at the Mauer - Johnson Funeral Home of Le Mars. The family will be present from 6 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the funeral on Tuesday.

Pallbearers will be Don Luksan Jr., Larry Luksan, Daniel Kuecker, Tim Bohlen, Jack Graham, and Drew Bohlen.