Blanche E. Knop
November 15, 2009

Blanche Knop, age 91 of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, formerly of Hastings, Iowa, and Lake Placid, Florida, passed away on November 15, 2009 at the McKendree Village outside of Nashville.

Blanche Evelyn Knop, one of eight children of Beulah B. (Anderson) Updike and Wilbur Worth Updike, was born on August 23, 1918 in Herman, Nebraska.

Blanche grew up and attended school in Herman. She later moved to Blair, Nebraska to live with her aunt and uncle, Lucy and John White where her uncle was the Blair postmaster for many years. Blanche graduated from Blair High School in 1938. Following school, Blanche worked as a switchboard toll operator for the telephone company in Nebraska.

Blanche and Glen Linson were married in Omaha, Nebraska. During World War II, they moved to Washington, DC, where Blanche worked as a telephone operator for the War Agency while Glen was in the service. After the war, Blanche and Glen moved back to Omaha and were blessed with a son Stephen Michael.

Blanche and Lester Emil Knop were married on April 27, 1955 at St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Hastings, Iowa where Blanche became a member. They made their home on the Knop family farm near Hastings and their marriage was blessed with a daughter Karlette Ann. In 1968, Blanche and Les bought a farm on Highway 34, just a mile from the family farm where they had lived until Lester's retirement from farming in 1975. They enjoyed traveling to Texas and Arizona for the winters. In 1983, they sold part of their farm and moved to Lake Placid, Florida where they made their home for 23 years. In January of 2006, Blanche was diagnosed with Dementia and in March of 2006, they moved to Mt. Juliet, Tennessee to live near their daughter Karlette.

Blanche was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and a member of Ladies' Aid. She served as chairman of the Mills County Farm Bureau women's committee which gave her opportunity to travel to Des Moines, Iowa, Washington, DC and other locations. She enjoyed gardening, canning, flowers, traveling, and entertaining friends. While living in Florida, she was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake Placid. She served on the Evangelism committee for several years, the nominating committee and was in charge of church greeters. In 2005, Blanche and Les received the Pricilla & Aquilla Pioneers in Ministry Award. Blanche and Les hosted the Choir and Elders Christmas parties at their Lake Placid home with around 45 attending.

Blanche passed away on November 15, 2009 at the McKendree Village Nursing Home in Hermitage, Tennessee near Nashville, at the age of 91 years, 2 months, and 23 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Guralta Christiansen and husband Russell; brothers, Predes W. Updike , Kenneth N. Updike, Melvin H. Updike, Robert L. Updike and wife Iva Mae, Clifford D. Updike and wife Bonnie, and Donald C. Updike; brothers-in-law, Louis Knop and wife Alma, Walter Knop and his wives, Helene Knop and Lucille Knop, Alfred "Fritz" Knop and wife Evelyn, Everett Knop and his wives, Marie Knop and Vivian Knop, Orlo Jones and Fred Smardo; sisters-in-law, Lucille Miller and her husbands, Elam Ord, Dusty Rhodes and Lloyd "Puck" Miller, Vanda Christensen and her husbands, Joe Dawson and Jack Christensen, Viola Green and husband Howard, and Darlene Walker and her husbands, Don Staerker, Bill Pollack and Floyd Walker.

Blanche is survived by her husband of nearly 55 years, Lester Knop of Mount Juliet; son Stephen Linson of Omaha, NE; daughter Karlette Mayo and her husband James; granddaughter Kristy Mayo; grandson Jamie Mayo; great granddaughter Madyson Mayo, all of Mt Juliet; sisters-in-law, Betty Updike and Pauline Updike, both of Fremont, NE, Helen Updike of Lyons, NE, Della Smardo of Leawood, KS, and Lola Jones of Malvern, IA; many other relatives and a host of friends

In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org) or American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).

Interment in the East Liberty Cemetery.

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