BOONE, Iowa—Family, sports and talking. All three defined Kenneth Knowles, who passed away July 29 at the age of 88.
Mr. Knowles was the youngest of three rambunctious sons of Frank and Vera Knowles. All three were born and raised in Boone and graduated from Boone High School. As the youngest, Ken learned early that if he wanted to keep up, he’d better work on his athletic skills. He played football, baseball, basketball and ran track. He was a good enough baseball player to be invited to try out for the Iowa Cubs baseball organization. Instead, Ken decided to play football for Iowa State University. After an injury ended his football hopes in his freshman year, he joined the Army, serving as a military police officer in New Orleans.
When he was honorably discharged, Ken attended Drake University, where he continued playing sports and earned a business administration degree. Ken continued to play fast-pitch softball well into the 1970s, often anchoring first base. Well after his playing days ended, Ken maintain a life-long love of sports, whether watching one of his children or grandchildren play or watching college football on TV and attending Iowa Hawkeyes or Iowa State Cyclones games as often as he could.
He and his wife, Phyllis, met in Marshalltown, where they lived for a time and started their family. They settled in Winfield, Iowa and focused on their family, raising their three children, Steve Norder, Linda (Knowles) Shelton-Carty and Paul Knowles. They frequently traveled to see family members living around the country. Ken was a long-time cashier at Farmers National Bank and his wife owned Knowles Cards and Gift Shop in the town. Once their children were grown, the couple managed a motel in Columbus Junction for a time. After 20 years of marriage, Phyllis passed away.
A few years later, Ken married Lois Fredregill and the couple made their home in Urbandale. The two shared a love of garage sales, playing games, travel and family for 21 years before Lois’s passing. Ken visited 49 states and dreamed of going to the 50th, Hawaii.
When not playing or watching sports, Ken liked to talk about his favorite teams. And he always enjoyed talking with customers who went to the bank. He frequently could be found chatting with far-away family members or visiting neighbors and friends. He kept in touch with his classmates from Boone High School and helped plan reunions of his fellow Toreadors. He loved to joke and laugh with staff members at Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone where he lived for the last nearly six years of his life.
Along with his two wives, Ken was preceded in death by his parents, both brothers, and a brother and sister who died in infancy. He is survived by his three children, four grandchildren, three great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Thursday, August 5 at 1 pm at Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone, with visitation starting at noon. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Marshalltown. In lieu of flowers, those who wish are invited to donate to the Alzheimer’s Association or American Heart Association in Ken’s name.
Online condolences may be left at www.schroederfuneral.com.
The Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home at 609 7th Street, Boone is assisting the family with these arrangements.
Kenneth Knowles, 88, Boone, Iowa and the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone, Iowa
