Beverly "Bev" Knutson

     Beverly Knutson, age 88, of Decorah, IA, died on Wednesday, September 3, 2014, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, IA.      Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 8, 2014, at the Madison Lutheran Church, 2658 Madison Road, Decorah, IA, with Rev. Jeff Hansen presiding. Burial will be in the Madison Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah, IA.      Friends may call from 2:00-5:00 p.m., on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue, Decorah, IA, and also after 10:00 a.m., on Monday morning at the church.      Beverly Jean (Mrkvicka) Knutson was born on May 14, 1926, the daughter of Anton and Dorothy (Buri) Mrkvicka in Cedar Rapids, IA. Bev graduated from McKinley High School in Cedar Rapids in 1942. She was united in marriage to Robert Beltz in Cedar Rapids, and they were the parents of Judy and Larry. They later divorced. Beverly moved to Ridgeway and was married to Kenneth Knutson on September 29, 1962, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, and they were the parents of Sheri and Tim. She worked as a nurse’s aide at the old Aase Haugen Nursing Home, helped on the farm with Kenny and also as a cook and bartender at the Kozy Korner in Ridgeway. Bev was a member of the Madison Lutheran Church and Ladies Aide. She liked to laugh, have fun and to be around her family especially during the Holidays. Bev dearly loved all of her children, grandchildren and especially all of the great grandchildren.      Bev is survived by her children: Judy Fleshner, Decorah, IA; Sheri (Jim) Akre, Winona, MN; Tim (Tammy) Knutson, Ridgeway, IA; and step-son: Lester (Reyne) Knutson, Chatfield, MN. Nineteen grandchildren: Gary Holstad, David (Doreen) Holstad, Michelle Gilgour, Jason Fleshner, Jenn (Troy) Wendling, Jeff (Krista) Beltz, Danny Beltz, Deanne Sund, Travis Akre, Megan (Nick) Biesanz, Trent Akre, Kia (friend, Mitch Hovden) Knutson, Marty (Juli) Knutson, Heather (Cory) Syverson, Justin (Tasha) Knutson, Michael (Tara) Knutson, Michelle (Brandon) Stille, Knute (Nikki) Knutson and Eric (BreAnne) Knutson, along with several great grandchildren. Two brothers-in-law: Clair (Helen) Knutson, Decorah, IA, and Marlyn (Karen) Knutson, Decorah, IA.      Beverly was preceded in death by her parents: Anton and Dorothy (Buri) Mrkvicka. Her husband: Kenneth Knutson on May 24, 2005. Son: Larry Beltz in 1987. Three step-children: Marcia Knutson in 1969, Gary Dean Knutson in 1952 and Dennis Knutson in 2006.