Ruth “Gerry” Geraldine Knoop, 89, of Marble Rock, IA died on August 13, 2012 at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home in Rockwell, IA. Online condolences may be left at www.Fullertonfh.com.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, August 17, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church, 21 3rd St. N.W., Rockford, IA. Reverend Judy Wooton will be officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Rockford. A visitation will be held from 5-8 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012 at Fullerton Schumburg Funeral Home, 302 West Main, Rockford. There will be no public viewing during visitation or prior to the funeral service. In expression of sympathy, memorials may be made out to American Cancer Society in Ruth Knoop’s name.
Ruth “Gerry” Geraldine (Rankin) Knoop was born on November 27, 1922 to James and Ella (Wood) Rankin in rural Alden, IA. She graduated from Alden High School in 1941. On December 4, 1955, Gerry was united in marriage to Clair Knoop. Together they raised their family in rural Marble Rock, IA. Gerry lived in the Marble Rock area since 1951. She had four children: Sandra, Roger, Nancy, and Bill. She spent 15 years as a cook for the Marble Rock School District. Gerry also worked on the farm. She lived her life as a hard worker. She loved living on a century farm, and would raise chickens and milk cows. She will be remembered for giving chickens to relatives and friends for Christmas.
Gerry was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Rockford, American Legion Auxiliary of Dougherty, IA, and served two years on the Floyd County Extension Board. Along with being a Den Mother for Cub Scouts Gerry was also involved with Bingo every Tuesday at the Rockwell Nursing Home. She volunteered at the Catholic Church in Dougherty and also for Hospice.
She is survived by daughter, Nancy Clifford (special friend Terry Smeby) of Marble Rock; sons, Roger (Gloria) Stover of Dows, IA and Bill (Renee) of Mason City; grandchildren, Troy Stover, Tonya Martin, Wesley Stover, Monte Wolters, Janan Brunner, Matthew Knoop and Emily Knoop; fifteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Those who preceded her in death include her husband, Clair Knoop; daughter, Sandra Palmer; grandchildren, April and Michael Palmer; parents, James and Ella Rankin; sister, Arlene Burgess; and son-in-law, Edward Clifford.
Arrangements are at Fullerton Schumburg Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 302 West Main, Rockford, Iowa 50468 641-756-3311, http://www.Fullertonfh.com