Richard H Knop

Richard H.(Dick) Knop was born on August 23, 1936 in Soldier Township, Crawford County Iowa., the son of Paul F. and Catherine Claussen Knop. He died Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at Twilight Acres in Wall Lake, Iowa at the age of seventy-nine.
Dick was baptized September 20, 1936 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Charter Oak, Iowa and later confirmed May 28, 1950 at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Ricketts, Iowa. He attended grade school in Ricketts and graduated from Charter Oak High School on May 19, 1955. Dick served in the National Guard from January 27, 1954 to April 11, 1960. After graduation, he worked in Battle Creek, Iowa as a mechanic. After a few years, Dick moved to California and worked as a mechanic, then returned to Ricketts and opened Dick’s Garage until the early 70's. He also drove his truck under R.H. Knop Trucking, first hauling swinging meat to Chicago then hauling livestock and grain. In 1988, he opened City Auto Machine Shop Service in Denison and was a machinist until semi retiring in 1999. During his retirement, Dick opened Dick’s Crank Service, grinding crankshafts and also enjoyed remodeling their home in Lake View after moving there in 2006.
On March 7, 1970, Dick was united in marriage to Evelyn Jones at the United Methodist Church in Murdock, Nebraska. They made their home in Ricketts, Iowa and were blessed with the birth of two daughters, Vicki and Kristie.
Dick was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church for over 50 years, and after moving to Lake View, he became a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church. He also served as a Volunteer Firefighter for many years. Dick enjoyed snowmobiling, bowling, fishing, boating, watching NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing and wrestling on TV. He also loved listening to polka music, tinkering around the house fixing things, and was a lover of dogs. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who devoted his life to his family.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Catherine; one brother, Earl; father and mother-in-law W. Clinton and Bernice; sister-in-law Marjorie. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; two daughters: Vicki and her husband Tim; Kristie and her husband, Todd; two granddaughters: Natalie and her husband, Michael and Ashley and special friend, Cole; great-grandson, Keegan; sister-in-law, Helen; brothers-in-law, Edgar and his wife, Lee ; Richard ; Tom and his wife, Linda; nieces and nephews; many other relatives and friends.