LuVerne E. Knoke

MASON CITY – LuVerne E. Knoke, 84, of Mason City, died Tuesday (August 14, 2007) at the Good Shepherd Health Care Center in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Saturday at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Mason City with Rev. Jo Watkins officiating. Burial will be in Concord Township Cemetery in Garner with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner is in charge of arrangements.

LuVerne Elmer Knoke, the son of Louis and Mattie (Schwartz) Knoke, was born January 21, 1923 at Klemme. He graduated from Garner High School in 1941. 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 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 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, Sept. 12, 2003; his parents; and four brothers, Donald, Dorance, Lester and Eldo Knoke.