Obit: Knoop, Ervin F. (1935 - 2013)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Knoop, Korth, Smith, White, Fox, Schmidt, Bohman, Zickert, Spiegel, Minsaas, Goetz, Schoenherr, Trunkel, Dux, Garbisch, Sikora, Biebert

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 10/23/2013

Knoop, Ervin F. (10 December 1935 - 15 October 2013)

Ervin F. Knoop, 77, of Neillsville, died Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.

Ervin F. Knoop was born in the Town of Pine Valley, Neillsville, Dec. 10, 1935, the son of Frank and Alice (Korth) Knoop. He graduated from Neillsville High School in 1953. Ervin lived on the home farm until his marriage Oct. 5, 1957, to Arlys Smith. Together they were blessed with six children. Ervin worked 39 years with Nelson Industries of Neillsville, serving in many different areas. He retired in 1997. Ervin also worked the homestead farm that he took over in 1965. As the children grew up and moved away from home, he started cutting back on farm duties. He always said it was a good place to raise a family.

After his retirement, Ervin had dreams of where he wanted to travel, mainly Alaska. In 1998, his dream came true. They traveled all of Alaska for a month. It was his dream fulfilled. A few years later, they went to Hawaii for two weeks, which was a trip Aryls always wanted to go on. Since then, they have taken many trips together until the last year or two, and then it was shorter weekend trips. Ervin endured a lot of health problems the last few years and took them on like a soldier. He made the best of all situations, no matter how tough it was. He enjoyed playing sheepshead with the “guys” and his family. He loved playing cribbage and was always ready to take on anybody, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Arlys; six children, Shelby White of Marshfield, Carol (Mike) Fox of Janesville, Janet (Pete) Schmidt of Neillsville, twins, Dawn (Ron) Bohman of Marshfield, David (Peggy) Knoop of Merrill and Judith (Kevin) Zickert of Neillsville, who currently live on the Knoop homestead farm of four generations. Ervin is also survived by 14 loving grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Florence (Bob) Spiegel of Granton, Lois (Gale) Minsaas of Casper, WY, Jean (Kenny) Goetz of Neillsville; brothers, Donald Knoop of Polo, MO, and Robert (Rose) Knoop of Neillsville. H is further survived by many brothers and sister-in-law and nieces and nephews.

Ervin was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Adeline Schoenherr; and several brothers and sisters-in-law.

Funeral services for Ervin were held at 11 a.m. Oct. 19, 2013, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville. Pastor Timothy Biebert officiated. Music was provided by Judy Trunkel, organist, and Dan and Bunny Dux, vocalists. Visitation was held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville and again Saturday morning at the church from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Interment was in the North Pine Valley Cemetery.

Serving as casketbearers were Jason Garbisch, Josh Bohman, Elliott Sikora, Derek Sikora, Eric Bohman, Jacob Fox, Nathan Schmidt and Brandon Knoop.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home assisted Ervin’s family with funeral arrangements.