ALTON KNOLL

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ALTON KNOLL It is with heavy hearts that the family of Alton Knoll announce his passing on Wednesday, September 19, 2018. Alton was a gentle man who loved his wife Gertrude dearly and was her anchor and soulmate until his final hours. He was also a devoted father to his three daughters and a devoted grandfather and great-grandfather. Alton was born on a farm outside of Yorkton, Saskatchewan on August 16, 1933 to Albert and Martha Knoll. He was the youngest of six children. Alton loved farm life: the open space, the animals and the harvest that the fields and gardens offered. Dad attended a one-room school house and played hockey and baseball. Alton was employed as a young man by International Harvester Farm Equipment Company. He was a company man, devoted and loyal, working in management until his retirement. Alton met Gertrude Lowenberger through his best friend Wilfred Fink as Wilfred was seeing Gertrude's sister Elfriede. Both couples married which ensured a lifelong companionship and camaraderie that grew over the ages. Alton and Gertrude raised three daughters in a stable and loving home. They built a cottage in Matlock which they shared and enjoyed with their whole family up until last year. Dad was a wonderful grandfather. He had a gift for making children laugh and feel loved. His kind and gentle teasing will be forever missed by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Alton became Lutheran when he married Gertrude in 1955. He attended church faithfully and sang in the bass section of the choir in each church he belonged to. Alton belonged to Grace Lutheran Church for the last 45 years. Alton leaves to mourn his passing: his wife Gertrude, daughters: Lorelie/Ron, Glenda/Ron and Liane/Greg, grandchildren: Amanda/Sean, Aaron/Christy, Andrew/Signe, Makenzie, Courtney, Alexander and Rowen, great-grandchildren: Joshua, Jordyn, Elin, Jrue, Lena, Brooklyn and Adele. He was also considered a grandfather by Aaron, Brooke and Skye from Montreal. Alton is mourned by his sister Ramona/ Ed, sisters-in-law, Elfrieda and Glenys Knoll, sister-in-law Elfriede Fink, brothers-in-law, Helmut/Dianne Lowenberger and Horst/Eilene Lowenberger and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Albert and Martha, his brothers, Herman, Winston, Cliff and Earl, his parents-in-law, Rudolf and Wilhelmina Lowenberger and brother-in-law Wilfred. A funeral service will be held in Alton's honour on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at Grace Lutheran Church, 211 Kimberly Avenue at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 22, 2018