Evelyn Goy Knop
April 10, 2009

Evelyn Goy Knop, age 87 of Glenwood, IA, formerly of Malvern, IA, passed away at Lynnwood Estates in Glenwood on April 10, 2009.

Evelyn Lorraine (Hensley) Goy Knop, one of two children of Mabel Adele (Short) Hensley and Victor Archie Hensley, was born on her parent's farm near Salem, South Dakota on October 7, 1921. Evelyn was 13 years old, when in 1934; a severe drought forced the family to move from Salem to Malvern, Iowa. Evelyn's father worked for several area farmers and Evelyn graduated from the Malvern Community High School in 1938. Following school, she worked for Dr. Shonka in Malvern as his receptionist.

On July 20, 1941, Evelyn and Richard Dudley Goy of Tabor, Iowa were married at Rockport, Missouri. They made their home on the Fred Durbin farm west of Malvern and were blessed with two sons, Rodney Allen and Richard Lanny. In 1946, they purchased the Conoco Bulk Plant in Malvern, forming the Goy Oil Company, which together they developed into one of the most successful dealerships in the state. Evelyn and Richard were very active in the community. They played a prominent part in Malvern's observance of the centennial and hosted the annual Halloween masquerade dance, bringing a large crowd to the Malvern Community Building each year.

While Evelyn enjoyed working with Richard and the business, her life was centered around her family. She was a member of the Malvern United Methodist Church and the HSC Club, the Glenwood Saddle Club, and the family always enjoyed traveling to Estes Park, Colorado. Evelyn and Richard had been married 28 years when a car train accident took Richard's life on December 12, 1969. His death was a loss to both the family and the community.

On May 4, 1973, Evelyn and Alfred Herman Knop were the 100th couple to be married at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Hastings, Iowa. They made their home on the Knop farm north of Malvern and in December of that year, Evelyn became a member of St. John's. Evelyn and Fritz enjoyed dancing, traveling with their camper and fishing. Evelyn was a great cook and loved to bowl, bringing home several league trophies over the years. In 1988, they moved from the farm to a home in Malvern. Fritz played drums with a band, and Evelyn enjoyed watching him entertain groups at care centers and playing for dances in nearby towns.

Evelyn and Fritz had been married 30 years when Fritz died on August 17, 2003. Evelyn continued to live in Malvern until 2006, when she moved to Linnwood Estates in Glenwood, Iowa. Evelyn died at Linnwood on April 10, 2009 at the age of 87 years, 6 months, and 3 days.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Richard Goy and Fritz Knop; and her oldest son Rodney Goy on August 20, 2004.

Evelyn is survived by her son, Lanny Goy and wife Tenita of Glenwood; daughter-in-law, Janella Goy of Malvern; brother, Stanley Hensley and wife Estellee of Sheridan, MO; grandchildren, Rhett Goy and wife Mindy and their daughter Adalie of Tabor, IA, Lance Goy and wife Tara of Chandler, AZ, Ryan Goy and wife Andrea and their children Ashley, Grant, and Alyssa of Glenwood, IA, and Tena Goy of San Francisco, CA; brothers-in-law Morris "Pete" Goy and wife Nancy of Omaha, NE; Lester Knop and wife Blanche of Mt. Juliet, TN; sisters-in-law Della Smardo of Leawood, KS and Lola Jones of Malvern; nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to the Malvern Cemetery Association or Linnwood Estates.

Interment in Malvern Cemetery.

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