Cedric "Rick" Newell Knoke was born in Lancaster, Wisconsin ("a Grant County farm boy"), on January 5, 1942, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul A. Knoke, Sr. He died on December 14, 2009, while shoveling snow at the family cabin located in rural Westfield, Wisconsin. Rick graduated from Lancaster High School in 1960. He attended school at UW Platteville. He served in the United States Army, including a tour of duty in Viet Nam, from 1964 to 1966.
Rick married Kathleen Holz August 17, 1968 and married Vicki Zimbric on January 1, 2000.
Rick worked at McKay Nursery, Waterloo, Wisconsin, for 44 years retiring in 2007. Family, friends and co-workers will lovingly remember Rick and his zest for life.
He was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Waterloo. As a Jaycee, he was instrumental in building a warming house on the mill pond in Waterloo.
Rick served on the Waterloo City Council and performed in numerous musical roles for Marshall Community Theater. Every new experience held a fascination for him, whether it be collecting butterflies, coonskin coats, rubber ties for football games (including Badger football games where he and brother Greg proudly wore 1920 raccoon coats), bicycling, camping, trout fishing, attending Badger football and basketball games, sampling the newest "great brew" and parenting two beautiful daughters and cherishing grandchildren.
Rick is survived by his wife, Vicki, his daughters Korrin (Richard) Bunce and Cecily (Patrick) Kittridge, and their children, Everett and Harrison Kittridge; as well as Matt and Mark (Nicole) Zimbric, and grandchildren Kelsey Hellenbrand-Zimbric and Phillip D. Zimbric and mother-in-law, Fran Zimbric. Rick was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Paul A. Knoke Jr.; sisters, Martha Knoke and Leta Foreyt; dearest aunt, Glee M. Enright, of Dodgeville, Wisconsin; and his sister-in-law, Ruth A. Knoke.
Rick is also survived by sisters, Laura Molumby of Madison, Carol (Carl) Bender of Lancaster, and brothers, David R. Knoke of Lancaster and Gregory E. Knoke (Janie Jacobson) of Verona, Wisconsin, Uncle Col. Ret. Jamieson H.B. (Barbara) Newell, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, whom Rick loved to delight with unique stories and expressing true interest in their activities and lives. He is also survived by the mother of his daughters, Kathy (Peter) Grunwald. Best friend, Jerry Draeger shared Rick's adventures of life.
Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2009, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Waterloo, Wisconsin, with visitation at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.
The family requests memorials be made to a college fund Rick established for his grandchildren. Pederson Funeral Home Waterloo is caring for the family.
On-line condolences may be made at www.pedersonfuneralhomes.com
Rick married Kathleen Holz August 17, 1968 and married Vicki Zimbric on January 1, 2000.
Rick worked at McKay Nursery, Waterloo, Wisconsin, for 44 years retiring in 2007. Family, friends and co-workers will lovingly remember Rick and his zest for life.
He was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Waterloo. As a Jaycee, he was instrumental in building a warming house on the mill pond in Waterloo.
Rick served on the Waterloo City Council and performed in numerous musical roles for Marshall Community Theater. Every new experience held a fascination for him, whether it be collecting butterflies, coonskin coats, rubber ties for football games (including Badger football games where he and brother Greg proudly wore 1920 raccoon coats), bicycling, camping, trout fishing, attending Badger football and basketball games, sampling the newest "great brew" and parenting two beautiful daughters and cherishing grandchildren.
Rick is survived by his wife, Vicki, his daughters Korrin (Richard) Bunce and Cecily (Patrick) Kittridge, and their children, Everett and Harrison Kittridge; as well as Matt and Mark (Nicole) Zimbric, and grandchildren Kelsey Hellenbrand-Zimbric and Phillip D. Zimbric and mother-in-law, Fran Zimbric. Rick was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Paul A. Knoke Jr.; sisters, Martha Knoke and Leta Foreyt; dearest aunt, Glee M. Enright, of Dodgeville, Wisconsin; and his sister-in-law, Ruth A. Knoke.
Rick is also survived by sisters, Laura Molumby of Madison, Carol (Carl) Bender of Lancaster, and brothers, David R. Knoke of Lancaster and Gregory E. Knoke (Janie Jacobson) of Verona, Wisconsin, Uncle Col. Ret. Jamieson H.B. (Barbara) Newell, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, whom Rick loved to delight with unique stories and expressing true interest in their activities and lives. He is also survived by the mother of his daughters, Kathy (Peter) Grunwald. Best friend, Jerry Draeger shared Rick's adventures of life.
Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2009, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Waterloo, Wisconsin, with visitation at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.
The family requests memorials be made to a college fund Rick established for his grandchildren. Pederson Funeral Home Waterloo is caring for the family.
On-line condolences may be made at www.pedersonfuneralhomes.com