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Arnetta Ruth Knutson, 78, of Storm Lake, formerly of Irene, S.D., died on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 at Methodist Manor Retirement Home in Storm Lake.
Visitation for Annetta will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 5-7 p.m. at Hansen Funeral Home (121 Main St.) in Irene, S.D., with a prayer service at 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held Thursday, Nov. 16 at 10:30 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church (225 E. Main St.) in Irene, S.D.
Arnetta was born to Arnold and Ruth (Carrell) Drugley on Oct. 25, 1945 in Bartlesville, Okla. Arnetta graduated from Irene High School in 1963. She attended Nettleton College in Sioux Falls for secretarial work.
Arnetta met the love of her life, Kermit, while still in high school. They married on March 31, 1964 at Meldal Lutheran Church. From this marriage, they had three kids: Debra, Paul and Jeffrey. They farmed around the Irene and Gayville area before moving to Paullina, where she worked as a nurse's aid at the Cherokee hospital for five years. Kermit and Arnetta then moved the family to Kennedy, Minn. to manage Seitzinger Storage and she worked at area hospitals as an aide. After many years there, they moved their family to Storm Lake in 1988. While there, Arnetta worked as a physical therapy aide at BVRMC and later in the surgical department before retiring.
Arnetta loved spending time with her family. She loved when the grandkids and great-grandkids would come around to visit. One of her greatest joys was working outside in her flower gardens. Her and Kermit loved to travel, visiting many different states and Mexico.
Arnetta was baptized into the Lutheran Church and was a strong Christian. Arnetta is survived by her daughter Debra and Bill Horn of Yankton, S.D.; son Paul and Robin Knutson of Storm Lake; grandchildren: Mathew and Ashlee Horn of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Casey and Katie Horn of Yankton, S.D.; Logan Borchardt of Alta; and Jordyn and Brandon Iehl of Alta; great-grandchildren: Macen Murray, Abel Horn, Rose Horn, Julian Iehl and Beckham Iehl; brother Gary and Susan Drugley; sister Brenda Drugley; sisters-in-law: Bonnie Seitzinger and Micy and Cliff Highstreet; and many nieces and nephews.
Arnetta was preceded in death by her husband Kermit; son Jeffrey Knutson; her parents, Arnold and Ruth Drugley; her in-laws, Elwyn “Bud” and Elvera Knutson; sisters-in-law: Darlene Lovejoy, Arlene Zoeller and Ginny Christensen; and brothers-in-law, Frank Seitzinger and Ardell Lovejoy.
