TOM ROGER KNOPS
Tom Roger Knops, age 74 of Clayton, WI died at his home surrounded by his family on Saturday, March 19, 2016 after a short battle with cancer.
Tom was born on October 8, 1941, to Edward and Gertrude (Wolf) Knops in a little house on Elm Street in Glenwood City, Wisconsin. He was welcomed into the family by his older brother, Eddie, who named him after his two best friends at school.
In 1942 the family moved to San Francisco, California, as his Dad worked in the shipyards during World War II.
The family moved back to Wisconsin in 1944. They lived with Tom’s grandmother Wolf in New Richmond until they purchased their house on East First Street.
Tom attended school in New Richmond and graduated in 1959.
He enlisted in the United States Navy in December 1959 and went to Basic Training in San Diego, California. He attended electronics school in San Francisco and Rhode Island.
Tom served on the ship USS Catamount from 1960 until 1963. His ship stopped at many ports of call including Okinawa, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Kobe, Japan.
In September 1963, Tom was chosen to winter over and spend a year in Antarctica.
Tom was honorably discharged in October 1964. He worked at Fabritec in Amery, worked for the railroad and loaded trucks at the John Wood Company in St. Paul. He joined Doughboy Packing in New Richmond in 1971 and worked there 32 years until his car accident in April 2003 which forced him to retire.
He met Mary Ann Maes in 1969 and they were married on May 2, 1970 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Glenwood City, Wisconsin. They were blessed with two sons, Chaney and Joshua. They lived in a mobile home in Roberts, Wisconsin, and Dean’s Court in New Richmond, Wisconsin. In April 1978 they moved to their present home in Clayton, Wisconsin.
Tom loved taking the family hunting, fishing, and camping at the deer shack in Minong, Wisconsin.
He could fix any car, truck or motorcycle. He also enjoyed riding his Harley, working in his garden, caring for the lawn and cutting wood. But most of all, he loved taking care of his grandchildren, listening to their concerts and watching sporting events.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; nieces, Melody Murphy and Cindy Harper; and brother-in-law, Jerry Maes.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; son, Chaney, and his fiance, Kim Ricke; son, Joshua, and his wife, Cathy; cherished grandchildren, Thomas, Tim, Joe, Ashley, Alex, Gavin, Bryce Knops, Hannah and William Ricke; brother and spouse, Eddie and Vivian Knops; Guardian Angel, Kitzie Zacharias; nieces; nephews; many relatives; and friends.
The family would like to thank nurse Gail at the New Richmond Cancer Center and nurse Diane from Adoray Hospice in Baldwin for their loving and compassionate care of Tom during his last days.
Memorial Services will be 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Clear Lake, WI, with Military Honors by the Clear Lake Area Veterans Honor Guard
Visitation will be held Friday, April 1, 2016 from 5 – 8 p.m. at the Scheuermann-Hammer Funeral Home of Clear Lake, WI and at the church one hour before the service.
Burial will be at the West Clayton Cemetery.
Scheuermann Funeral Home is handling the arrangements, www.clearlakefuneralhome.com