SPARTA - Richard D. Knoll, age 85, of Sparta, passed away on April 2, 2023, at Rolling Hills Senior Center, after a long battle from a stroke. He was born July 16, 1937, to Erwin and Erna (Neidfeldt) Knoll, in Sparta, WI.
He attended Sparta schools and graduated from Sparta High School in 1955. Richard married Donna M. Olson on December 17, 1960. They lived on a farm south of Sparta, and together raised five children.
Richard enjoyed being a farmer and tending to his animals. After several years of farming, he moved the family in town, where he started an electronics business out of his home, selling CB radios and scanners. He later moved back to the farm. Richard and Donna later divorced.
On September 24, 1983, he married Marjorie L. Kneifl (Wegner). With this marriage, came two step-children which he helped raise as his own.
Richard spent many happy hours farming, helping his neighbors, family, and friends. He loved spending time with his grandkids on the farm or taking them fishing. He was still farming up until a severe stroke in December of 2011. He was moved to Rolling Hills Nursing Home when he could no longer be cared for at home. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Richard is survived by his wife, Marjorie of Sparta; children, Debbie Abraham of Bangor, Rose (Milton) Leis of Sparta, Kevin (Verena) Knoll of Ontario, Pam (Ed) McCloskey of Bellevue, NE, and Tim (Alyssa) Knoll of Kingsford, MI; step-daughter, Lori (Brent) Johnson of Cataract; 20 grandkids, 27 great-grandkids; sister, Alice Bluske of Sparta; brothers, Edwin Knoll of Sparta and Don (Marcia) Knoll of Cashton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Erwin and Erna Knoll; brothers, Harold and his wife, Kathren (Kitty), David and his wife, Virginia; brother-in-law, Chuck Bluske; sister-in-law, Nancy; his first wife, Donna Olson; step-son, Andrew Kneifl; and son-in-law, Paul Abraham.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 8, 2023, at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, with Bruce Milleman officiating. Burial will be in Mound Prairie Cemetery, Coles Valley.
A visitation will be held from 9:30 AM-11:00 AM, Saturday, at the funeral home. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation
