William Lee "Bill" Knedgen, 85, a lifelong resident of Parsons, died at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at Elmhaven West Nursing Home in Parsons.
He was born July 19, 1924, in Parsons, Kansas, to Frank Blaise and Clara Theresa (Young) Knedgen. He grew up in Parsons where he graduated from Parsons High School and attended Labette Community College two years.
He and Lorene L. Burlingame were married October 6, 1945, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons. He was employed by the M-K-T Railroad for 43 years as a caller and clerk. Following retirement from the railroad, he assisted his daughter, Stephanie, in her restaurant businesses.
As a young man, he earned the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America program, the Eagle Scout. He was an avid swimmer and gardener and, for many years, served as a softball coach. Above all, he loved his faithful wife of 64 years, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons, a fourth degree charter member of the Knights of Columbus where he began serving at the age of 18, the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees, and the Brotherhood of Railroad Clerks where he also served for 25 years as secretary and treasurer.
Survivors include:
Wife – Lorene Knedgen of the home, Parsons, KS
Three Daughters – Patricia Wilkerson and husband, Dale Bartlesville, OK
Christa Sevart Parsons, KS
Stephanie Tuggle and husband, David Parsons, KS
Four Grandchildren – Jason Sevart and wife, Christy Holts Summit, MO
Josh Sevart Kansas City, MO
Stacy Hoffman Edmond, OK
Dr. Heather Owen and husband, Dustin Owasso, OK
Four Great-Grandchildren – Samuel and Hannah Hoffman
Madison and Keira Owen
One Sister – Mary Brownrigg Florida
He was preceded in death by four brothers, four sisters, one son, Vincent L. Knedgen, on May 26, 2007; and one son-in-law, Dana E. Sevart, on July 14, 2003.
The funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 4, 2010, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons where the family will receive friends immediately following.
Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick's Catholic School Gymnasium Fund. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Lee "Bill" Knedgen, please visit our flower store.
He was born July 19, 1924, in Parsons, Kansas, to Frank Blaise and Clara Theresa (Young) Knedgen. He grew up in Parsons where he graduated from Parsons High School and attended Labette Community College two years.
He and Lorene L. Burlingame were married October 6, 1945, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons. He was employed by the M-K-T Railroad for 43 years as a caller and clerk. Following retirement from the railroad, he assisted his daughter, Stephanie, in her restaurant businesses.
As a young man, he earned the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America program, the Eagle Scout. He was an avid swimmer and gardener and, for many years, served as a softball coach. Above all, he loved his faithful wife of 64 years, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons, a fourth degree charter member of the Knights of Columbus where he began serving at the age of 18, the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees, and the Brotherhood of Railroad Clerks where he also served for 25 years as secretary and treasurer.
Survivors include:
Wife – Lorene Knedgen of the home, Parsons, KS
Three Daughters – Patricia Wilkerson and husband, Dale Bartlesville, OK
Christa Sevart Parsons, KS
Stephanie Tuggle and husband, David Parsons, KS
Four Grandchildren – Jason Sevart and wife, Christy Holts Summit, MO
Josh Sevart Kansas City, MO
Stacy Hoffman Edmond, OK
Dr. Heather Owen and husband, Dustin Owasso, OK
Four Great-Grandchildren – Samuel and Hannah Hoffman
Madison and Keira Owen
One Sister – Mary Brownrigg Florida
He was preceded in death by four brothers, four sisters, one son, Vincent L. Knedgen, on May 26, 2007; and one son-in-law, Dana E. Sevart, on July 14, 2003.
The funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 4, 2010, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons where the family will receive friends immediately following.
Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick's Catholic School Gymnasium Fund. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Lee "Bill" Knedgen, please visit our flower store.
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