Helen Knott

   Our Mother, Helen Clara Knott was born on November 26, 1917 in rural Defiance, Iowa, the fourth child of John and Anna (Kuhl) Foxhoven. She attended a small rural grade school near her home through the 8th grade. After 8th grade, she helped at home and then, worked for several families helping with the housework and children so she was a “Merry Maid” and “Nanny” long before the words became popular in today’s world.

   On February 6th, 1939, she married Edward M. Knott in Defiance. They were engaged in farming West of Manilla and together raised a large family of nine children who became their pride and joy. Raising nine children meant there was constant work. She always had a large garden, canned many jars of produce from the garden, crates of fruit, raised chickens, baked many many loaves of bread and a daily dessert for the family. In 1966, Ed and Helen bought half interest in Reiff’s Hardware with Anna Mae Reiff but continued farming until 1970. They moved from the farm and into Manilla in 1972.

   Helen was a lifetime member of Sacred Heart Parish in Manilla and an active member of the Altar and Rosary Society where she held various offices.

   Having learned to embroider at a young age, she created dresser scarves, many sets of dish towels and pillowcases for family members, especially the grandchildren. Making quilts was a past time she enjoyed and baby quilts were always needed as twenty-four grandchildren arrived. She loved to play cards and you never had to ask twice if she wanted to play ten point pitch, thirty-one, Kings in the Corner, Yahtzee or bingo. She was a loyal Iowa Hawkeye fan but she did attend a Big Red Husker Game.

   At age 71, she received her first driver’s license and drove until she voluntarily turned in her keys at age 90.

   On December 31, 2009, she fell and broke her hip. While rehabbing from hip surgery in Omaha, she made the decision she wanted to continue living in Omaha so she could enjoy time with her large family. In February 2010, she moved to an apartment at Crown Pointe Retirement Living and after ninety three years she was in 7th Heaven, she no longer had to cook or clean. She made many friends and continued to reside there until a stroke in July of 2013 caused her to move to Immanuel Fontenelle Home. She passed away there at 98 years of age on September 30, 2106.

   She was preceded in death by her husband Ed Knott (1990), son-in-law Don Holquist, daughter-in-law Marilyn Knott, grandchildren, Chad Oliver, Denise Holquist Van Roy, Travis Knott, parents, John and Anna (Kuhl) Foxhoven, brothers, Clarence, LaVerne, Howard, sisters, Elvera, LuRene Olson, Elaine Meiners, Leona Leslie.

   She is survived by her children: Shirley (Jack Schaefer), Janet (Tina) Holquist, Larry (Sheila) Knott, Don (Joan) Knott, Carol (Darrell) Oliver, Betty (Dick) Schaefer, Connie (Frank) Urzendowski. Mike (Dianne) Knott, Theresa Bueltel (Glen Shaffer), 21 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, sister-in-law, Judy Knott of Harlan, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

    She will be remembered as being a faith filled, loving, gracious and gentle woman.

Thank you Mom for all your love.

Reverend John Gerald, Celebrant

Bernie Post    Sherri Holquist             

Eucharistic Minister

Karen Kloewer

Sheila Knott   Joan Knott    Dianne Knott

Jarod & Tyler Henkelman

Music

“City of God”    “In The Garden”

“Hail Mary, Gentle Woman”

“How Great Thou Art”

Sacred Heart Choir    

Irene Fielmeier, Accompanist

Casket Bearers

Helen’s Grandsons

Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Manilla, Iowa