Helen Glee (Nettleton) Knutson, 87, of Volga, passed away on Wednesday June 17th, 2026 at The Neighborhoods in Brookings. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 22nd at 11:00 at First Lutheran Church in Volga. Visitation will be held Monday morning before the service at 10:00 at the church.

Helen was born on January 21, 1939 in Mitchell, SD. She was raised by Amos and Clara (Greenley) Nettleton of Arlington SD. She grew up on the family farm west of Arlington. Helen attended Arlington Public Schools, graduating in 1958. She married Otis Knutson on October 12th, 1958 in Arlington. They lived near the Knutson family farm northwest of Volga for a short time and then moved to a few different homes in Volga where they resided together until Otis passed on December 25th, 2022. Helen lived in their home until September of 2024 when she moved to assisted living in Lake Preston due to health issues. After further medical issues, Helen moved to The Neighborhoods in Brookings in March of 2025.

Otis and Helen welcomed 4 children into their home. Helen stayed home with their kids when they were young. She provided daycare to other parents while she was busy watching her own kids. When her last son started school, Helen went to work at Sioux Valley schools in the lunchroom. She was a "lunch lady" for 15 years before moving on to a position in the Hy-Vee Deli for another 14 years. She missed the school kids and went back to the school as a cook again for another 10 years. Foodservice was apparently in her blood - after retiring from the school, she worked many more early mornings at the Casey's bakery in Volga until she finally quit working outside the home. She continued to be active at home painting, cleaning and working outside in the yard.

Helen enjoyed spending time with friends and neighbors, playing cards, collecting owls, gardening, quilting, embroidering, cooking, baking, and teaching the next generation how to make lefse. She absolutely loved it when the grandkids and great grandkids would stop by for a visit. She always made sure the littles had something to play with or a snack to eat while they were there.

Survivors include her children: Ron (Karen) Knutson of Volga, Cindy (Craig) Kjellsen of Arlington, and Tim Knutson of Volga; grandchildren: Austin (Erin) Knutson, Larissa (Aubrey) Scherff, Mandy (Isaac) Wilde, Trevor (Sarah) Kjellsen, and Drew (Alicia) Kjellsen; great grandchildren: Jonah, Evelyn, Landree and Chett Knutson, Amelia and Raylan Scherff, Wayland, Adalynn and Layla Wilde, Kya and Ivry Kjellsen, and Shady Kjellsen; brothers-in-law: Curtis (Doris) Knutson of Volga and Dale (Jean) Knutson of Volga; and many nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Otis Knutson Jr., daughter Bonnie Kay Knutson, brothers Robert and Leroy Nettleton, 3 sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law.