Hans Gailard Knudson

January 8, 1922 ~ January 16, 2013

VISITATION DETAILS

Friday, January 18, 2013

2:00 – 9:00 PM

Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home

Harlan, Iowa

The Family will be present to greet friends from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Funeral Home.

SERVICE DETAILS

Saturday, January 19, 2013

11:00 AM

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Irwin, Iowa

Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Irwin, Iowa.

SURVIVORS

2 Sons – John (Cheri) Knudson of Washington State

Jack (Christie) Knudson of Irwin, IA

3 Daughters – Gail Olson of Omaha, NE

Kathie (Jim) Allstot of Lincoln, NE

Jana (Bill) Halloran of Omaha, NE

1 Sister – Edna Drake of Council Bluffs, IA

9 Grandchildren

7 Great-grandchildren

Other Relatives & Friends

Hans Gailard Knudson, the son of Kalmer and Kirsten (Ellingson) Knudson, was born on January 8, 1922, in rural Irwin, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Gailard attended country school and Irwin Public Schools. During World War II, Gailard served stateside as Staff Sergeant in the United States Army. After his Honorable Discharge in 1946, he returned to Irwin and opened the Knudson Service Station. On October 16, 1948, Gailard married Helen Jeanette Brogard at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irwin. Helen did the books for the Service Station, and Gailard ran it as owner/operator for 45 years.

Gailard was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irwin, Iowa. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and yard work. He had a great sense of humor and loved playing with his grandchildren. A lifelong Irwin resident, he had lived at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, Iowa, for the past two years.

Gailard Knudson died on Wednesday, January 16, 2013, at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, having reached the age of 91 years and 8 days.

Gailard was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen, on February 15, 2006; one grandson, Jamie Allstot; one brother, Kenny Knudson; two sisters, Ruth Drake and Irma Groat; and one son-in-law, Bob Olson. He is survived by two sons, John (Cheri) Knudson of Washington State, and Jack (Christie) Knudson of Irwin, Iowa; three daughters, Gail Olson of Omaha, Nebraska, Kathie (Jim) Allstot of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Jana (Bill) Halloran of Omaha, Nebraska; one sister, Edna Drake of Council Bluffs, Iowa; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

The funeral service was held on Saturday, January 19, 2013, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irwin, Iowa, with Pastor Ron Rasmussen officiating. Nancy Larson served as the organist, and Ron Rasmussen was the soloist. Casket bearers were Che Olson, Doug Smith, Brad Knudson, Keith Nickum, David Knudson, and Randy Knudson. Burial was in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Irwin, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.