Alice I. Knope, age 101, of Clintonville passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at Kindred Hearts in Clintonville.
The former Alice Ida Fust was born on July 17, 1918 in the Town of Morris, Shawano County, to the late Fred and Bertha (Gehrke) Fust. She was united in marriage on June 4, 1938 to William V. Knope at Zion Lutheran Church in Gresham. The couple lived for a few years in Shawano until her husband entered the military and then they lived for a short time in the Milwaukee area. In 1944 she returned to the area and bought a dairy farm in rural Clintonville (Town of Larrabee, Waupaca County). Alice worked hard on the farm helping her husband with chores; and baking, canning, sewing and mending the families clothing. Her husband William preceded her in death on January 22, 2004. Alice was a longtime member of Christus Lutheran Church, Clintonville, where she volunteered with countless activities with the women of the church and served as chair of Martha Circle and the Altar Guild. She is also a former member of the Clintonville Hospital Auxiliary, the Waupaca Peer Companion Group, and a past President of the local AARP Chapter. Her other interests included taking care of her flower garden and she also enjoyed making bake goods for others.
Survivors include two children, Norine Strelow of Marion and William (Kim) Knope of Appleton. There are five grandchildren: Jamie (Raleigh) Moody, Keith Strelow, Tina (Jeff) Bonikowske, Dawn Strelow, and Bryan (Jennette) Siebers. There are four great-grandchildren: Brandon, Blake, Tyler, and Izin. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends. Alice was preceded in death by her husband William, son-in-law Arthur Strelow Jr., an infant granddaughter Mary, a grandson Troy Strelow, great-grandson Cole Strelow, and companion Wilbert Gast. She is further preceded by two sisters, Edna Fink and Viola Ross, and two brothers, Harold and Elmer Fust.
Funeral Service will be held on Monday, January 13th at 11:00 a.m. at Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville. Rev. Michelle Klemp will officiate and burial will be at Graceland Cemetery, Clintonville. Visitation will be held on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.
The family wishes to thank all the staff members at Kindred Hearts, especially past administrator Jamie and current administrator Samantha, for the wonderful care provided. We also want to thank the nurses with ThedaCare at Home Hospice, especially Kristy Crum, for the excellent care given to Mom.