Fred C. Knoke
Fred Charles Knoke, 91, of Elkader, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at the Guttenberg Hospital.
Fred was born May 28, 1933, in Elkader, to Fred H. and Ella (Glawe) Knoke. He attended Elkader Public Schools, graduating with the class of 1951. Following high school, he was drafted into the United States Army, where he served from 1953 to 1955.
On July 25, 1953, he married Sheila Mae Erickson, at Peace United Church of Christ in Elkader. To this union three children were born, Nancy, Elaine and Fred Jr. Fred and Sheila moved to their home on Grandview Road in 1958 and lived their entire life there.
Fred worked at Costigan Construction for several years, then became a machinist at John Deere where he retired after 30 years of employment.
Fred loved to garden, mushroom hunt, fish, play cards and do projects on his house and property. He always found a way to fix anything. Fred could always be counted on by friends and family to help with projects. Be it problems with a car, garden or landscaping, or something to be built or MacGyvered, he was your guy. Most of all, Fred enjoyed watching or attending sporting events. Be it his children or grandchildren, Iowa Hawkeyes or his beloved Chicago Bears, you could always count on him to be there. Fred and Sheila enjoyed wintering for many years in South Padre, Texas. Fred enjoyed walking on the beach and tricking those panning for metal with the coins he threw in the sand on his walks. Fred and Sheila loved entertaining and were known for great Memorial Day and Fourth of July gatherings.
Fred was a lifelong member of Peace Church, and American Legion Post 106. He and Fred Jr. went on the Honor Flight in 2014, which was always a special memory for him. He received his quilt of Valor in the Veterans Day celebration in 2022.
Fred will be sadly missed by friends and family.
Survivors include his children, Nancy McClure, Elaine Martin and Fred (Amy) Knoke; grandchildren, Dani (Jake) Nordaas, Trisha Martin and Joe, Tom and Jack Knoke; brothers-in-law, Chuck and Jerry Erickson; sisters-in-law, Linda Severson and Ann Erickson; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.
Fred was preceded in death by his wife Sheila—they enjoyed 60 years together; his son-in-law, Alan McClure; his parents; all his siblings and their spouses, Harold (Violet) Knoke, Helen (Charles) Taylor, Kenneth (Helen) Knoke, Clarence Knoke, Lorraine (Warren) Meyer, Ivanell (Melvin) Webber, Marion (Elmer) Zittergruen; and Vernon (Vadena) Knoke; nephews, Stevie Webber, Kenny and Billy Meyer, James and Ed Zittergruen and Kevin Knoke; and niece, Mary Taylor. Also preceding him included in-laws, Charles and Doris Erickson, Norma (Clifford) Palas, Pat (Si) Butikofer, Gene Erickson, Les Erickson, Dennis Erickson, Carol Erickson, Pam (Pat) Armstrong; nephew, Ronnie Palas; and niece, Kim Erickson Osborne.
A celebration of life will be held at Peace United Church of Christ in Elkader over Memorial Day weekend 2025 (May 24, 2025); Pastor Paula Anderson will officiate.
Inurnment with military honors will be at East Side Cemetery, Elkader.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the family. Memorials may be directed to the family or Peace Church in Elkader.
