Earlene I. Gutknecht, 82, of Hudson died at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics on Wednesday, January 17, 2007, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.

She was born January 12, 1925, in Vinton, Iowa, daughter of Ray and Elsie Tuttle Miller. She graduated from Vinton High School.

Earlene married Verne F. Gutknecht in 1945. He died February 26, 1991.

She worked at Barnes Lumber in Cedar Falls for many years and was a member of Women in Construction.

Earlene enjoyed her cats, working out in the yard, and feeding the birds. She also collected old movies and looked forward to having lunch with her friends.

She is survived by daughter Ruth Paisley of Waverly, son Ray Gutknecht of Waterloo, four grandchildren: Troy Gutknecht of Davenport, Matthew (Brandi) Mensching of Jesup, Katrina (Joe Miller) Paisley of Waterloo, and Laurie (Chad) Armstrong of West Des Moines, great-grandson Grant Armstrong. Earlene is also survived by two sisters-in-law: Arlene (Roland) Riensche of Jesup and Maxine (Frank Willis) Miller of Springville, Iowa; six nieces and two nephews.

She is preceded in death by brother Lynn Miller and nephew Adam Riensche.