Harold Knouft, 94, of Holton, passed away on Wednesday May 17, 2023 at Vintage Park of Holton, while holding his wife’s hand of 73 years.
He was born on March 6, 1929 in Holton to the late Clarence and Edna Brown Knouft. He graduated from Holton High School in 1947 and went straight into the armed forces, serving in the Korean War.
While farming alongside his dad, Harold was also a Corporal in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954. In addition, he was a member of United Steelworkers Local 307, and worked at Goodyear Tire in Topeka, retiring in 1991 after 37 years with the company.
Harold was full of stories about anything and everything. He never knew a stranger, always striking up a conversation with anyone who happened to be standing around. His smile and whole hearted laughter will be greatly missed.
Harold Eugene Knouft married Anna Lee Fritz in 1950 and they had three children together.
He is survived by his wife Anna Lee, three children, Carolyn Bartlett (husband Scott), of Holton, Terry Taul (husband Bobby), of Holton and Charles Knouft, of Jasper, TX, six grandchildren, Heather DeBusk (husband Troy), Abbey Althof (husband Wyatt), Summer Wedermyer (husband Nate), John D’Orvilliers (wife Taylor), Tanner Taul (wife Kimberli) and Nathan Knouft, six great grandchildren, and two sisters, Betty Bowser and Shirley (Mike) Swartz.
Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 22nd at the Holton Cemetery. Harold will lie in state after 10:00 a.m. on Sunday at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton, where family and friends will meet from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
