Vadena Knoke
April 2, 1935-June 23, 2019
Vadena Knoke, age 84, of Willmar, MN, and formerly of Oelwein, IA and Elkader, IA died Sunday, June 23, 2019, at Carris Health Rice Hospital in Willmar, MN. Funeral services were Friday, June 28th at 11 a.m. at Peace United Church of Christ in Elkader, IA. Burial followed in the East Side Cemetery at Elkader. Visitation for Vadena was Friday at the church from 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Vadena Lee Knoke was born April 2, 1935, in Onslo, IA, to Alva and Vera (Garnett) Edwards. She grew up in Elkader and graduated from Elkader High School where she was a drum majorette, member of National Honor Society, and class salutatorian. After graduating she worked as a secretary for a short time. On February 19, 1955 Vadena married Vernon Knoke in Elkader and they were blessed with four children. The family lived in several communities in Iowa and settled in Oelwein. Vadena was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church in Oelwein and a member of the UMW. She had enjoyed gardening, and also dabbled in wine making, cake decorating, and growing various types of flowers. Vadena and Vernon enjoyed vacationing in Minnesota and throughout their lives were inseparable.
Vadena is survived by her husband Vernon of Willmar, MN. She is the loving mother of four children: Bruce (Lyn) Knoke of Olivia, MN, Brian (Gloria) Knoke of Atwater, MN, Kendra Knoke of Ellicott City, MD, and Kara (Jay) Christianson of Wells, MN. She also enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren: Crystal (Jack) Hyman, Brent (Katie) Knoke, B.J. Knoke, Greg (Jordan) Knoke, Kirsten Jolly, Katrina Jolly, Johnny Jolly, Lorraine (Brady) Thisius, Nancy Christianson, Claire Christianson, and Benjamin Christianson. Vadena is also survived by five great-grandchildren; various nieces and nephews; and her brother David (Deanna) Edwards. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Arrangements were handled by Dirks-Blem Funeral Service of Olivia, MN.
