Knoke, Lila Coralynn (Ehrie) -- 1924 - 1997
KNOKE, VICK, EHRIE, BERGMANN, STATON
Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 1/6/2012 at 17:10:57
Lila Coralynn Knoke was born August 28, 1924 in Waukon, Iowa, the only child of Jergen and Marvel (Vick) Ehrie. She was baptized at Glenwood Lutheran Church When Lila was only two years old, Marvel contracted polio and the family moved from their place in the country to Decorah. Lila was confirmed in her faith at First Lutheran Church.
She attended Decorah schools from kindergarten through the twelfth grade. Toward the end of her high school career she began going out with a young man, George Knoke, who had graduated in 1940. When Lila herself graduated in 1942, they were engaged, but times being what they were, they postponed their marriage.
Lila went to Chicago intending to become a nurse, but after a few weeks of nurse's training, she decided against it. Instead she went to work for the Mars Candy Company. Several months later she left Mars to work for the Treasury Department where she was involved in the process of printing bonds issued to raise money for the war effort. George in the meantime had been drafted into the army and was sent to the Pacific theater where he would serve out the war as part of an intelligence unit.
In the fall of 1945, George was discharged from the service. After being separated by the war for three years, Lila and George were married at First Lutheran Church on January 14, 1946. They began their life together in Chicago, but after a few months of George having to juggle part-time, low-paying jobs, they decided they could make a better life for themselves in Iowa. So they moved back to Decorah and bought the farm west of Locust where they would live for the rest of their married life. Three children were born to Lila and George: Janice in 1948, Ronald in 1950, and Terry 1954.
Lila was an active member of St. John's. She taught Sunday school for 14 years and played a leadership role in the women's organization until her final illness made participation impossible. She also played a leadership role in 4H during the years her children were involved. She loved embroidery and quilting, and until these last two years kept a large vegetable garden.
Last Monday at midday Lila slipped into a coma and died after struggling more than two years with ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, a progressive paralysis affecting the nerves and muscles.
Lila is survived by her husband George, daughter Janice & son-in-law Marvin Bergmann of Decorah, son Ronald and his children Korianne (Staton), Jennifer and Wade of Burlington, Iowa; son Terry & daughter-in-law Kristine and their children Sarah, Rachel, and Victoria of Nauvoo, Illinois; and great grandson Justin Staton.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Blessed be the memory of Lila Coralynn Knoke.
August 28, 1924 - February 17, 1997Submitted by John Matter jmatter@q.com from Funeral Home information
Locust Cemetery aka Saint John
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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