Christian Ernest Knoke (1872-1936)

KNOKE, MCCONNELL, MILLER, HILLEMAN, THOMPSON, WOELLSTEIN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/14/2024 at 13:23:31

From Story City Herald February 27, 1936 (page 1)

FALL BROUGHT DEATH TO KNOKE

Well Known Local Man Succumbed to Heart Failure Last Friday

Chris E. Knoke, 62, local carpenter, died very suddenly at his home here Friday noon from the effects of heart failure. The day before he had fallen upon the porch at his home and in the accident a bloodclot was caused which resulted in his death.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the home and in Grace church, Rev. G. L. Bergeman officiating. A quartet consisting of Mrs. Everett Anderson, Mrs. Wm. Petersen, George Sowers and M. O. Butler sang two selections, with Vernon Anderson at the piano.

The pall bearers were Martin Jensen, Wm. Peterson, Oliver Jacobs, F. W. Densmore, Chris Matson and John Hall.

Among those from a distance were the following; Wm. Hilleman and Mrs. Julia Miller of Decorah; Mrs. Lou Prince of Glenn's Ferry, Idaho; Mr. and Mrs. Robert McConnell, Mrs. Wm. Springborn and Eddie Decker, all of LaSalle, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Knight and children William and Naomi, and Wm. McConnell of Des Moines.

Interment was made in the Glendale Masonic cemetery in Des Moines.

Obituary

Rev. Bergeman read the following obituary at the opening of the funeral service:

The subject of this obituary Christian Ernest Knoke, was the youngest of ten children, born on the 28th day of August, 1873, to Henry and Justine Knoke at Mitchell, in Perth county, Ontario, Canada. Two years later (1875) this family left Ontario and moved to Locust, Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he grew to manhood. After completing his education in the elementary schools he attended Valder college at Decorah. After having fitted himself for life's activities he served as a clerk at several different places for a short period of time, after which he established a grocery business at Decorah.

He was a resident of Charles City during the years from 1909 to 1914, at which time he was engaged in construction work and served as a carpenter. It was during this period that he was married to Miss Gertrude E. McConnell on November 8, 1913. After their marriage they moved to Story City in in February 4, 1914 and resided in the place and he answered the final summons on last Friday ---- February 21, 1936 after a very brief illness. His age at the time of his death was 63 years, 5 months and 24 days. To him and his companion two children were born --- --- died in infancy.

Mr. Knoke was industrious and a ----s worker and was also of a genial disposition which made for him many warm friends who will cherish his memory. He was very kind husband who had a genuine love for the home. He was a good neighbor and a loyal member of the community. Upon moving to Story City he united with Grace Evangelical church of which he remained a loyal member to the end. He manifested a keen interest in the study of the Bible. He also was a member of the Masonic Order, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Eastern Star and Rebeccas. He was a great lover of music and was a member of a men's quartet and of Grace church choir for period of time. In the earlier days of his manhood, while living in the vicinity of Decorah, he was a member of a men's chorus, musical organization known as "Frohsic," which was composed of 14 individuals, in which he took an active part.

Of the ten children of this Knoke family, three died in the course of the years. He is survived by his bereaved companion; one brother, Henry Knoke of Decorah, and five sisters: Mrs. Julia Miller and Mrs. Wm. Hilleman of Decorah; Mrs. Carrie Thompson, Tacoma, Wash.; Mrs. Mary Woellstein of Cresco and Miss Amelia knoke of Decorah, besides other relatives and host of friends.