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John Roger “Red” Knoche, 91, Wheatland
Obituaries · July 30, 2015



John Roger “Red” Knoche, 91, of Wheatland, passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2015, at Wheatland Manor.

Funeral services were held Thursday, July 23, 2015, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Wheatland with Rev. John Cofield officiating. Burial followed at St. Paul’s Cemetery. Visitation was Wednesday, July 22, 2015, at Chapman’s in Wheatland.

John was born on Oct. 20, 1923, to Frank and Alma (Sorensen) Knoche in Big Rock, Iowa. He married Melba Wulf on Aug. 18, 1945 at The Little Brown Church. She died July 25, 2003.

John retired after working at J.I. Case for 32 years. He umpired for 25 years, refereed and coached baseball and softball; he loved spending time with his family, the St. Louis Cardinals, playing cards, trapping, hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his sons, William (Julie) Knoche of Lowden, Robert of Calamus and Benjamin (Brenda) of Ft. Myers, Fla.; grandchildren, Kevin (Becky) Knoche, James (Trina) Knoche, Kathy Knoche, Shane (Amy) Knoche, Erin (Vern) Lichtenstein, Ron (Danelle) Knoche, Tom Knoche and Renee Knoche; 15 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sisters Jeanette Petersen and Lois Swanson; and brother Frank Knoche.