It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our dear mom, Virgil Jean Knox, age 97. She passed away peacefully in her home January 7,2022.
Born in Schaller, Iowa February 4, 1924 to Leslie and Julia Robinson, the family moved to Estherville when Virgil was 15. She attended and graduated from Estherville High School. After graduation she worked at FW Woolworth as a bookkeeper until she met and married Robert Gordon Knox (Bob) –he was born and raised in Marcus, Iowa.
They settled in Estherville and Together they raised 7 children- Barb, Bertie, Jim, Dave, Richard, John and Mary Pat. All were born and raised in Estherville and graduated from EHS.
Our Dad passed away in February 1970 at age 52 leaving the task of continuing to raise our young family. Mom rose to the challenge, took drivers education and got her license at age 45 and went to work for the St Patrick’s Catholic Rectory as Housekeeper/cook. She worked there until she retired at age 74!!!
Mom enjoyed some traveling with the kids and to see the kids- her travels took her to Chicago a few times, to Florida a few times- she loved Disneyworld- she also visited California, Arizona and Colorado.
Mom’s favorite activities included bicycle riding, walking in the woods on the trails in Ft Defiance, as well as picnics in the park and the lakes region. You might find her enjoying a wild game of 500 with her lady friends or with kids and their friends-She was a top notch cook and served up countless roast beef dinners, baked millions of all varieties of cookies and made lots of chocolate birthday cakes- in the month of July she always baked 3 chocolate birthday cakes to celebrate birthdays on July 7, 10 and 15th!!!! Reading was at the top of her favorite things to do. She always had a book in hand-if not reading for herself she would gather all of us kids up and she would read us a chapter of books ,such as the Bobbsey Twins, before bedtime.
Mom was quiet, kind and gentle…always thinking of others, Checking in on elderly friends , the neighbors and family. Bringing cookies or flowers from her garden and making sure she took time for a visit….She was one of a kind- a keeper- we were blessed to have her for so many years. I think God let us keep Mom a few extra years because he took our Dad at such a young age.
Last but not least I think cleaning may have been mom’s secret passion- So I am certain that you will now see the moon shining a bit brighter and the stars will sparkle more and there may be more angel dust falling from the heavens….because Virgil has arrived in heaven and is taking care of business!
Left to cherish the memory of our loving Mom are, her children: Barbara Hughes (Roger), Roberta/Bertie Bergeson (Larry), David Knox (Heidi), John Knox, Mary Pat Barr and Stepdaughter Patricia Knox; Grandchildren, Matthew Knox, Chris Knox (Christy), Brad Knox (Roxcy), Jordan Knox, David Hughes (Will Lim), Suzanne Hughes Coyle (Andrew), Devin Barr and Garret Barr; Nephew, Marvin Hanson; and Nieces, Carole Hanson Campe, Marilyn Hanson Berte (Dwaine) and Betty Hanson.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert G Knox, parents, Leslie and Julia Robinson, infant baby sister Darlene Robinson, sister Lavonne Robinson Hanson and brothers Duane Robinson and Donald Robinson, son’s James Knox and Richard Knox and granddaughter Julie Knox Fitzgerald.
A memorial service has been scheduled April 9, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Henry Olson Funeral home in Estherville, Iowa.
henryolsonfuneral.com
