Pike Township Family Stories
THE KNOLL FAMILY
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, pages 231-232
By Mary Knoll WildasinElroy Knoll was born in September 1897 in Chicago; he died 7 December 1981. Johanna Sywassink was born 18 February 1902 near Muscatine and died 7 December 1965. They were married 31 July 1930 near Muscatine.
They farmed near Roseland, Minnesota, until they moved to Muscatine in 1934. They moved to Nichols in the spring of 1939. They lived and farmed in the Nichols area at the John Kirkpatrick, Harry Braun, Tom Dean and M. Buser farms except for one year at Letts. They moved to a farm near Letts in 1952, where they remained until they moved to Muscatine.
Elroy remarried in 1966, and in 1968 he moved to his home town in Roseland, Minnesota, where he lived until his death in 1981.
Elroy and Johanna Knoll raised four children, Vera Knoll, Mary Knoll, Dick Knoll and Jane Knoll.
Vera Knoll, daughter of Elroy Knoll and Johanna Knoll, was born in Minnesota. She attended Buffalo Bluff school and graduated from Nichols High school.
Vera was married to Walter Elder, Jr in the Nichols Methodist church. They lived on the Earl Elder farm for six years, when they moved to a farm outside Muscatine for a year. They sold out the following spring and moved to their present home in Muscatine.
Walter worked at several different places until he went to Bandag Corporation, where he is still employed [1984]. Vera also worked at various places until she bought “Crafty Ideas.”
Walter and Vera have five children: Fae Arlene Elder, Joe Walter Elder, Jeffrey Roy Elder, Tina Louisa Elder, and Leland John Elder. They all live in and around Muscatine. Jeff is married to Diane Mason, and they have two children, Sarena Marie Elder and Chad Roy Elder.
Mary Knoll, daughter of Elroy Knoll and Johanna Knoll, attended the Buffalo Bluff school until the school closed, and she graduated from Nichols High school.
Mary played and lettered on the varsity basketball team for five years. She played in the school band for five years and was in the school chorus and small choral groups through high school.
Mary Knoll was married to Donald Wildasin in the Nichols Methodist church. They moved to the Nichols community and have lived and farmed here.
Mary and Don have four children: Tim Richard Wildasin, Kevin Jay Wildasin, Chris Donald Wildasin, and Diane Lynne Wildasin. Tim, Kevin and Diane live at home. Chris Wildasin is married to Tami Stagg and they live at Nichols. They have one daughter, Melinda Sue Wildasin.
Richard (Dick) Knoll was born in Muscatine. He attended Buffalo Bluff and Nichols school, graduating from Letts High school. He drove a truck for a year and went into the Navy. After his discharge from the Navy, he attended Muscatine Community college.
Dick Knoll married Mary Stuart in St. Mathias church in Muscatine. They lived there until they moved to the Gertrude Vincent farm, where they had a dairy herd until they sold their farming operation.
They built and moved into a new home west of Letts where they still reside [1984]. Dick owned and drove a semi truck until going to work for Grain Processing company in Muscatine. Mary is district secretary for the L & M school system. They have one daughter, Laura Jane Knoll.
Jane Knoll was born in Muscatine, the daughter of Elroy and Johanna Knoll. She attended Buffalo Bluff and Nichols schools, graduating from Letts High school.
Jane Knoll married Francis Murdock; they live on a rural route, Muscatine. They are parents of five children: Kenneth Dean Murdock, born 18 March 1959, deceased 18 January 1961, Ron Michael Murdock, Pamela Jo Murdock, Teresa Marie Murdoch, and Patricia Ann Murdock.
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Page created December 15, 2010 by Lynn McCleary