KNOWLES, Robert H. 1926-2003

KNOWLES

Posted By: K. Kittleson
Date: 2/9/2009 at 12:03:01

MANLY, IOWA — Robert Henry Knowles, 76, of Manly, died Friday (April 25, 2003) at the Manly Nursing & Rehab Center.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Bethel United Methodist Church, Highway 9, Manly, with the Rev. Robert Cumings officiating. Burial will be in the Manly Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Bride Colonial Chapel, 110 E. Spring St. in Manly, and one hour prior to service time on Monday at the church.

The family of Robert Henry Knowles has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Bethel United Methodist Church in Manly, or to Hospice of North Iowa in his memory.

Robert Henry Knowles was born on June 3, 1926, in Manly, the son of Ellis Henry and Velma Mae (Kimmel) Knowles. Bob was the second of three children who were born in a bedroom on the family farm. Bob joined his older sister, Beverly, and several years later, their younger sister, Lola Mae, joined them.

He attended country school and graduated from Hanlontown High School, where he played the trombone in the band.

He was a lifetime member of Bethel United Methodist Church and sang in the church choir for many of his younger years.

One of his favorite youthful pastimes was roller skating, where he met his wife and life-long partner, Janelle Adene Scott.

On June 19, 1955, in Mason City, they were married and she moved to the farm, where they lived together until her death on April 9, 1989.

Bob spent his life working the family farm, raising hogs, milk cows, chickens, beef cattle and grain, along with barnyard cats and the ever-present farm dogs.

Never satisfied with any piece of machinery and always creating a different way of doing things, he was known for his many adaptations and unique inventions, including a self-propelled windrower, bean buggy, three-wheeled sprayer and motorcycle sidecar.

He loved woodworking, welding and making things better, and was often found helping others with projects and repairs.

At the age of 72, he bought a truck from a salvage yard, rebuilt and painted it. He rode a Harley, played an accordion, repaired old equipment and lived to farm.

He was a proud father and grandfather.

Left to cherish his memory are his two daughters, Rebecca Lynn Real and her husband, Kevin, of Minneapolis, Minn., and Roxanne Helene Knowles of Ames; three granddaughters, Jennifer, Stephani and Nichole Real; a sister-in-law, Karen Reinke and her husband, Lynn, of Geneva; a brother-in-law, Gale Cook of Manly; several nieces and nephews, cousins, and many good friends and neighbors.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Ellis and Velma (Kimmel) Knowles; his wife, Janelle Adene (Scott) Knowles; and two sisters, Lola Mae Knowles and Beverly (Knowles) Metzger Cook.

Bride Colonial Chapel, (641) 454-2242.

[Mason City Globe Gazette online -- April 26, 2003]