M. Ruth Knop

M. Ruth Knop, 86, of Clear Lake, went to be with her Lord, Jesus on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, in Mason City.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015, at St. John Lutheran Church, 2405 260th St, Garner, Iowa, with Pastor Carl Hedberg officiating.  Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, by Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake.

Family suggests memorial contributions to the M. Ruth Knop Memorial Fund.

Ruth was born June 23, 1929, the daughter of Rev. Elton M. and Lola Mae (Cornford) Miller, in Des Moines.  She married Harold Frank Knop on June 25, 1947, at the E.U.B. Church, Ventura.  They shared over 57 years of marriage before his passing on Oct. 22, 2004.

A graduate of Ventura High School, Ruth attended York College.  She had various secretarial jobs at Sears, Ventura State Bank, and Iowa Mold and Tool handling payroll.  She was also very active at home helping raise four children and farming with Harold for over 40 years.

Ruth was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, in Garner, volunteered at Opportunity Village Store and Wycliff Translators, and enjoyed being a member of the Aquabells.  She enjoyed traveling for 20 years with Harold to their winter home in Florida, and visiting Canada and Alaska; even after his passing she fulfilled a dream of traveling to Europe, visiting Italy, Portugal, and Rome.  She continued traveling to various sites in the United States and Canada with friends.  She also was an avid Bridge player, loved cooking and preparing meals, and paying for meals once she was unable to cook.  She loved the Lord and being a member of St. John Lutheran Church, and cherished all the time she spent with her family.

Ruth is survived by a daughter, Julie (Steve) Livingston, of Clear Lake, their son, Ben (Traci) Livingston, of Omaha, Neb., and their children, Jacob, Noah, and Drew; a son, Greg (Carolyn) Knop, of Nevada, Iowa, their children, Chad (Brooke) Knop, of Nevada, and their children, Cade, Jax, Bianca, and Dekker and Jenny (Brad) Melton, of Nevada, and their children, Bailey and Gavin; a daughter, Denise (Kerry) Hiscocks, of Ventura, their children, Ryan (Brandi) Hiscocks, of Britt, and their children, Riley, Parker and Brinley, Emily (Lanse) Hill, of Clear Lake, and their children, Aspen and Ruger, and Erin (Josh) Missman, of Algona, and their daughter, Ellie; and a daughter, Karen (Jim) Leslie, of Maple Grove, Minn., their children, Michael (Ashley) Leslie, of Brooklyn Park, Minn., and baby, Leslie, due in February 2016, and Kelly (James) Lundberg of Minneapolis, Minn.; and five siblings, Elizabeth Piper, Robert Miller, William Miller, Paul Miller, and Nancy Anderson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a daughter, Cheryl Knop; and five siblings, Leland Miller, Richard Miller, Beverly Kile, Elton Miller, Jr. and Elaine Miller.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.