Lucy Ann Knauss
December 13, 1953 — December 27, 2018
Lucy Ann Knauss, daughter of John and Elaine (Thielen) Wendt was born on December 13, 1953 in Harlan, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Portsmouth, Iowa, where she remained a life long member. She attended grade school in Portsmouth and graduated from Harlan Community High School in Harlan, Iowa.
On July 15, 1972, Lucy was united in marriage to Ronald Gene Knauss at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Portsmouth. Three sons were born to this union: Brian in 1973, Brad in 1976, and Brent in 1979.
After marriage, Ron and Lucy moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina while Ron was in the service. After one year, they moved back home and in 1973 purchased their home in Portsmouth, where she worked various jobs in the area. Life events took them to Olathe, Kansas where they made their home for 7 years before returning to their original home in Portsmouth in 1992. Lucy and her sister Peg opened a bakery in Harlan for 5 years, she then went to work in the Hy-Vee Bakery and was the assistant manager of the bakery at Super Saver. Lucy then opened Big House Bar and Grill in Persia, Iowa with her son Brad. Four years later they expanded to Earling, Iowa then added another location in Minden. Lucy’s sons, Brian and Brent also helped run the family business for more than 10 years.
Lucy retired due to being diagnosed with cancer. She died on Thursday, December 27, 2018 surrounded by her loving family at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa attaining the age of sixty-five years and fourteen days. She was preceded in death by her son Brad Knauss, and her sisters Susan Buck and Karen Burk.
She is survived by her husband of 46 years Ronald Knauss of Portsmouth, Iowa; sons Brian Knauss and his wife Andrea of Crescent, Iowa; Brent “Boomer” Knauss of Panama, Iowa; 2 grandchildren Faith and Dayton Olofson; parents John “Buzz” and Elaine Wendt of Portsmouth; siblings John Wendt and his wife Mary Ann of Panama; Larry Wendt and his wife Jeana of Portsmouth; Peg and her husband Bob Barta of Salado, Texas; Bev and her husband Rich Priestly of Salado, Texas; Traci and her husband Trent Schuning of Portsmouth; niece and nephews, other family members and many friends.
On July 15, 1972, Lucy was united in marriage to Ronald Gene Knauss at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Portsmouth. Three sons were born to this union: Brian in 1973, Brad in 1976, and Brent in 1979.
After marriage, Ron and Lucy moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina while Ron was in the service. After one year, they moved back home and in 1973 purchased their home in Portsmouth, where she worked various jobs in the area. Life events took them to Olathe, Kansas where they made their home for 7 years before returning to their original home in Portsmouth in 1992. Lucy and her sister Peg opened a bakery in Harlan for 5 years, she then went to work in the Hy-Vee Bakery and was the assistant manager of the bakery at Super Saver. Lucy then opened Big House Bar and Grill in Persia, Iowa with her son Brad. Four years later they expanded to Earling, Iowa then added another location in Minden. Lucy’s sons, Brian and Brent also helped run the family business for more than 10 years.
Lucy retired due to being diagnosed with cancer. She died on Thursday, December 27, 2018 surrounded by her loving family at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa attaining the age of sixty-five years and fourteen days. She was preceded in death by her son Brad Knauss, and her sisters Susan Buck and Karen Burk.
She is survived by her husband of 46 years Ronald Knauss of Portsmouth, Iowa; sons Brian Knauss and his wife Andrea of Crescent, Iowa; Brent “Boomer” Knauss of Panama, Iowa; 2 grandchildren Faith and Dayton Olofson; parents John “Buzz” and Elaine Wendt of Portsmouth; siblings John Wendt and his wife Mary Ann of Panama; Larry Wendt and his wife Jeana of Portsmouth; Peg and her husband Bob Barta of Salado, Texas; Bev and her husband Rich Priestly of Salado, Texas; Traci and her husband Trent Schuning of Portsmouth; niece and nephews, other family members and many friends.
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