Viola M. Knight dies at 96
Viola M. Knight, 96, passed away Oct. 20, 2017 at St. Marks Lutheran Home.
Viola was born on Nov. 17, 1920 in Casselton, North Dakota to Reinhard and Anna (Bahls) Flath. She grew up with 2 sisters and 1 brother. Viola was the oldest child. Activities she liked to do when growing up were ice-skating, boating, fishing and visiting relatives on the farm.
Viola graduated from high school in Perham, Minn. and then went to college in Fargo, North Dakota for business for two years. Viola was at her friend's house when she met John Knight. While John served in WWII, Viola worked first at a West Union, bank as a bookkeeper, then at the Dallas County State Bank in Adel, as a teller and secretary. When John returned from the service they were married - Jan. 19, 1946 in Adel. They moved to New Hampton, and later to Osage, and then Austin. Viola did volunteer work at church, taught Sunday school, and was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Eastern Star.
John and Viola were married for 63 years until he passed away in 2009. The family enjoyed going to football games, travel, camping trips and going to rodeos. Viola enjoyed sewing, reading books (over 300!), going to sing-a-longs, exercise groups, music programs, church, and gardening. She also liked animals and rode horses.
Viola was preceded in death by her: husband: John Knight Sr., parents; sister: Virginia; sister: Violet.
She is survived by: daughter: Lana Jo (Terry) Teigen, Plymouth, Mnn; John Jr., Austin, Minn; grandchildren: Tracy (Todd) Sherner; Heather (Scott) Lundquist; Rob Knight; and Hilary Knight; great grandchildren: Tatum & Taverie Sherner; and Calin Lundquist; brother: Virgil Flath, Portland, OR; sister-in-law: Bessie Jost, Livermore, Calif; nieces & nephews.
A memorial service was held at 11 am on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017 at Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Michael Olmsted officiating. Interment was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Friday. Visitation was one hour before the service on Thursday.
