Thief River Falls – Gale Brekke passed away on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at Greenleaf Memory Care Facility, Thief River Falls, at the age of 85 years.
Gale Adeline Brekke was born April 18, 1940, the daughter of Vernon (Guy) and Elsie (Rasmussen) Knutson in Marshall County, MN. She grew up in Middle River, and attended school there.
Gale was united in marriage to Donald Oliver Brekke at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. Together they spent the majority of their lives in Plummer, where they raised their family.
Throughout the years, Gale was employed at Arctic Cat, Oakland Park Nursing Home as a cook, Plummer School as a cook, and the Seven Clans Casino.
She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plummer, where she taught Sunday School. Gale enjoyed listening to country music and dancing, cooking, canning, gardening, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Gale is survived by her sons, Curt (Elsa) Barber of FL, Terry (Annette) Knutson of PA, Robert “Bob” (Sue) Brekke of Billings, MT, Brian “Po” (Luz) Brekke of AZ, Jay (Pam) Brekke of Thief River Falls, and Micky (Nancie) Brekke of Thief River Falls; 11 grandkids: Jessica (Doug) Osborn, Shelly Tarnowski, Bobbi Sue Clemens, Jonny (Mandy) Brekke, Shanna (Mario) Garcia, Josh Brekke, Doug Brekke, Stephanie (Mitch) Thortsen, Derek (Natasha) Brekke, Jenna Brekke, Macie (Ray) Powell, and Haley Barber; 28 great-grandkids; along with nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Gale is preceded in death by her husband, Donald; one grandson, Michael Brekke; daughter-in-law, Connie Brekke; her parents; one brother, Vernon “Sonny” Knutson; and three sisters, Shirley Knutson, Gladys (Darrell) Baker, and Elaine (Ole) McKeever.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, from 4–6 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls.
Funeral Services will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, with Pastor Rob Mickelson officiating.
Burial will follow at the Clearwater Lutheran Cemetery near Plummer.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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