Alfred (Fritz) Knop

Alfred Herman Knop, one of 13 children of Herman Karl Frederick and Alma Emilie (Leu) Knop, was born on July 26, 1912 at Garner, Iowa. The family moved to a farm near Malvern, Iowa in 1918. Fritz attended the Pleasant Valley and Golden Hill country schools and graduated from the Malvern High School in 1929. Fritz was confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church at rural Hastings, IA. Following school, Fritz worked with his family on the farm. He enjoyed baseball and played on the neighborhood "Dutchman" team and later for the Malvern town team. In 1936, Fritz moved to California, and the following year returned home to help with the farm. In 1939, following the death of his father, Fritz and his brother Lester took over the farming and livestock operation. On May 4, 1973, Fritz and Evelyn (Hensley) Goy were united in marriage at St. John's Lutheran Church. They were the 100th couple to be married in the church and they made their home on the Knop farm. In 1975, Fritz and Les retired from farming. Evelyn and Fritz continued to live on the farm until 1988 when they moved into Malvern. Fritz was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church and had been past presi...[more]

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t, trustee, and had served on the grounds committee for 12 years. He was a charter member of the Dutch Gun Club and the builder and driver of the Red Devil's #13 auto pushball car. Fritz also loved music and played the drums along with his brothers in the family band. The "Knop Boys" played at dances throughout the area for many years. Fritz continued his drum playing, entertaining with different music groups at area dances and care centers. Fritz loved to dance, enjoyed gardening, and fishing. In January of 2003, Fritz suffered a stroke and in February moved to the Manor of Malvern Care Center. He and Evelyn had been married 30 years when Fritz died at the Manor on August 17, 2003. He had attained the age of 91 years and 19 days. Fritz was preceded in death by two infant siblings; his parents, Herman and Alma Leu; brothers Louis Knop and wife Alma; Walter Knop and wives Helene and Lucille; sisters Lucille Miller, and Vanda Christensen and husband Jack; brothers-in-law Howard Green, Floyd Walker, and Orlo Jones, sisters-in-law Marie Knop and Vivian Knop. Fritz is survived by his wife Evelyn Knop of Malvern, IA; sons Rodney and Janella Goy of Malvern, and Lanny and Tenita Goy of Glenwood, IA; grandchildren Rhett and Mindy Goy of Malvern, Ryan and Andrea Goy and great granddaughter Ashley Marie of Malvern, Lance Goy of Phoenix, AZ and Tena Goy of San Francisco, CA; brothers Everett Knop of Omaha, NE, Lester Knop and his wife Blanche of Lake Placid, FL; sisters Della Smardo and husband Fred of Kansas City, MO, Viola Green of Council Bluffs, IA, Darlene Walker of Laguna Hills, CA, and Lola Jones of Malvern, IA; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.