LuVerne Elmer KNOKE

KNOKE, SCHWARTZ, HAMMITT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/11/2010 at 13:31:01

The Garner Leader & Signal - Iowa
August 22, 2007

LuVerne E. Knoke, 84, of Mason City, died on Tuesday, August 14, 2007, at the Good Shepherd Health Care Center in Mason City. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, August 18, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Mason City, with the Rev. Jo Watkins officiating. Burial was in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner, with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. The Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner was in charge of the arrangements.

LuVerne Elmer Knoke, the son of Louis and Mattie (Schwartz) Knoke, was born on January 21, 1923 at Klemme. He graduated from the Garner High School. During WW II, he served his country in the Army Air Force as a corporal in the 13th Air Repair Squadron. On July 20, 1947, he was married to LaVonne Hammitt at the Zion United Church of Christ in Garner. They lived in Garner until 1962, when they moved to Mason City. LuVerne was employed as a lineman for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company until retiring in 1987. He also refereed high school sports events in north Iowa for many years. In 1982, LuVerne and LaVonne moved to an acreage north of Mason City. LuVerne liked working on his acreage whether it be mowing the lawn or tending to his large garden. In 2004, he sold the acreage and moved back into Mason City. He loved spending time with his family, especially his granddaughters. They were the light of his life. He was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ.

LuVerne is survived by his son, Bill (Betty) Knoke of Mason City; two granddaughters, Heather and Emily Knoke; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, LaVonne on September 12, 2003; his parents; and four brothers, Donald, Dorance, Lester and Eldo Knoke.