Harold Knouft 1929-2023

Harold Knouft, 94, of Holton, passed away on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at Vintage Park of Holton, while holding his wife’s hand of 73 years.

He was born on March 6, 1929, in Holton to the late Clarence and Edna Brown Knouft. He graduated from Holton High School in 1947 and went straight into the armed forces, serving in the Korean War.

While farming alongside his dad, Harold was also a corporal in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954. In addition, he was a member of United Steelworkers Local 307, and worked at Goodyear Tire in Topeka, retiring in 1991 after 37 years with the company.

Harold was full of stories about anything and everything. He never knew a stranger, always striking up a conversation with anyone who happened to be standing around. His smile and whole hearted laughter will be greatly missed.

Harold Eugene Knouft married Anna Lee Fritz in 1950 and they had three children together.

He is survived by his wife, Anna Lee; three children, Carolyn Bartlett (husband Scott) of Holton, Terry Taul (husband Bobby) of Holton and Charles Knouft of Jasper, Texas; six grandchildren, Heather DeBusk (husband Troy), Abbey Althof (husband Wyatt), Summer Wedermyer (husband Nate), John D’Orvilliers (wife Taylor), Tanner Taul (wife Kimberli) and Nathan Knouft; six great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Betty Bowser and Shirley (Mike) Swartz.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 22 at the Holton Cemetery. Harold will lie in state after 10 a.m. on Sunday at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton, where family and friends will meet from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to Beck Bookman Library and may be sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1034, Holton, KS 66436. Online condolences may be made at chapeloaksfuneralhome.com

(PAID OBITUARY)