Lawrence Edward Knodel -- 1998

The Burlington Record, Burlington, Colorado
Thursday, July 2, 1998

Lawrence Edward Knodel, third child of Edward and Helen Christina (Schaal) Knodel was born Oct. 18, 1926 on the family farm north of Burlington. He passed from this life On Thursday, June 25, 1998, at Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital in Burlington following short battle with cancer. 

Lawrence was the first baby baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church north of Bethune after the new church was built, and was confirmed, there as a teen. He spent his childhood working with his family, attending the Schaal School, where he completed the 10th grade; playing baseball with his friends, honing his horseshoe pitching skills, and going "peach picking" in Palisade. Lawrence was drafted into the Army at age 25 and spent two years serving in Korea.  He was honorably discharged in 1953 and returned home to continue fanning.

On Valentine's Day, 1954, was married to Ruth Leona Lippert of St. Francis, Kan. at Salem Lutheran Church in St. Francis.  They began married life on the "Adolf place" while their home was being built on the Knodel homestead. Born to this union were Joyce Christine, December, 1954; Steven Lawrence, August 1957; and Susie Kay, June 1961. Lawrence served his church as a trustee on the church council, as a member of the cemetery advisory board, and as a member of the facilities and ground committee.  He was a member of the VFW and always enjoyed the county fair. He continued to farm his land, tend his cattle and care for his family.  He also worked for Great Western Sugar at the area beet dumps and then at Bonny State Park as a seasonal worker, where he worked for 21 years.  He enjoyed sharing jokes and stories and teasing his young co-workers. Tremendous blessings in his were Christina, Angela, Kathleen, Lisa, and Andrea. Grandpa enjoyed all of their endeavors and accomplishments and looked forward to their visits.  He was also their most enthusiastic cheerleader for volleyball and basketball games.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents; sister Mabel, who died in infancy; and brother Garven in 1994. He leaves behind his wife of 44 years, Ruth, daughter Joyce of Burlington, son Steve and Susan, Angea and Andrea of Idalia and daughter Susie and Tony Paintin, Christina, Kathleen and Lisa of Kit Carson.  Also mourning are his brother Art and wife Martha, St. Francis, Kan.; sister Gladys and husband Jake Wilkening, Goodland, Kan.; sister-in-law Doris Knodel, Burlington; all their families, many relatives and friends.  His friendly smile and sense of humor will be greatly missed.

Services were held for Lawrence on Monday, June 29, 1998, 10 a.m. MT, at Immanuel Lutheran Church of rural Burlington.  Reverend Dianne Dietz and Reverend Cindy Macias officiated. Soloist Kent Weisshaar sang "Amazing Grace" and "Beyond the Sunset;" God be With You Till We Meet Again" by the congregation.  Carla Foth accompanied on the piano.  Casket bearers were nephews Bill Lippert, Harvey Hilt, Ed Walz, Herbert Schritter, Allen Knodel and Tim Wilkening.  Honorary pallbearers were all of the special family and friends that have touched the lives of Lawrence and Ruth. Interment was at Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery.  Arrangements were by Knodel Funeral Home of St. Francis, Kan.