Viola L. (Knop) Green (1924-2007)

Sources: Loess Hills Funeral Home (with permission)
and Joyce (Hansen) George

Viola L. Green, 83, Co. Bluffs

Viola Lorene Green age 83, of Council Bluffs, died at her home on Aug. 24, 2007. Funeral services were held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007, with Rev. Gus George, officiating. Interment was in the Plumer Settlement Cemetery, rural Glenwood.

One of 13 children of Alma Emilie (Leu) and Herman Karl Frederick Knop, she was born on Jan 6, 1924, at her parent's home in rural Hastings. She was baptized and later confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church at Hastings. She attended country school at Pleasant Valley and high school at Malvern where she graduated in 1942. Following school, she moved to Sacramento, Calif., where she worked repairing life rafts for the Air Force at Hather Field.

On Feb. 17, 1946, she married Howard Richard Green at St. John's Luheran Church. They made their home in Council Bluffs and later built a home in the country south of Council Bluffs. Their marriage was blessed with five children. Valora Jenean, Bernice Alma, Jerel Howard, David Randall, and Byron Paul. The family are active members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs where Mrs. Green had served as president of the Ladies Guild. She enjoyed being a homemaker and caring for her children. She enjoyed gardening, canning, was an excellent cook and always made sure meals were finished with dessert. She also enjoyed going fishing with her family. She and here husband had been married 47 years when he died on March 14, 1993. She continued to be active at her home and church.

She was preceded in death by two infant siblings; parents Herman and Alma Knop; husband Howard; brothers Louis Knop; Walter Knop; Alfred “Fritz” Knop; Everett Knop; sisters Lucille Miller; and Vanda Christensen. She is survived by her children: Valora Green of St. Paul, Minn., Bernice Green and Jerel Green both of Council Bluffs; David Green of Phoenix, Ariz.; Byron Green and wife Judith of Oceanside, Calif.; one granddaughter; and one step-granddaughter; brother Lester Knop of Mount Juliet, Tenn.; sisters Della Smardo of Leawood, Kan.; Darlene Walker of Littleton, Colo.; and Lola Jones of Malvern; nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Memorials suggested to St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs. Hertz Funeral Home of Glenwood was in charge of the arrangements.


Following is from Loess Funeral Home's website:

Viola Lorene Green, one of 13 children of Alma Emilie (Leu) and Herman Karl Frederick Knop, was born on January 6, 1924 at her parent's home at rural Hastings, Iowa. She was baptized and later confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church at Hastings. Vi attended country school at Pleasant Valley and high school at Malvern where she graduated in 1942. Following school, Vi moved to Sacramento, California where she worked repairing life rafts for the Air Force at Mather Field.

On February 17, 1946, Vi and Howard Richard Green were married at St. John's Lutheran Church. They made their home in Council Bluffs, Iowa and later built a home in the country south of Council Bluffs. Their marriage was blessed with five children, Valora Jenean, Bernice Alma, Jerel Howard, David Randall, and Byron Paul. The family are active members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs where Vi had served as president of the Ladies Guild. Vi enjoyed being a homemaker and caring for her children. She enjoyed gardening, canning, and was an excellent cook and always making sure meals were finished with dessert. She also liked to go fishing with her family.

Vi and Howard had been married 47 years when he passed away on March 14, 1993. Vi continued to be active at her home and church. She died at her home on August 24, 2007 at the age of 83 years, 7 months, and 18 days.

Viola was preceded in death by two infant siblings; parents Herman and Alma Knop; husband Howard; brothers Louis Knop and wife Alma, Walter Knop and wife Helene Knop and wife Lucille Knop, Alfred "Fritz" Knop, Everett Knop and wife Marie Knop and wife Vivian Knop; sisters Lucille Miller and Vanda Christensen and husband Jack; brothers-in-law Don Staerker, Floyd Walker and Orlo Jones.

She is survived by her children: Valora Green of St. Paul, MN, Bernice Green and Jerel Green, both of Council Bluffs, David Green of Phoenix, AZ, Byron Green and wife Judith of Oceanside, CA; granddaughter Tara Melinda Green of Placentia, CA and step granddaughter Kimberly Rose Cameron of Papillion, NE; brother Lester Knop and wife Blanche of Mount Juliet, TN; sisters Della Smardo and husband Fred of Leawood, KS, Darlene Walker of Littleton, CO and Lola Jones of Malvern, IA; sisters-in-law Evelyn Knop of Glenwood, IA and Josephine Green of Carson, CA; brother-in-law Lloyd "Puck" Miller of Red Oak, IA; nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Burial will be in Plumer Settlement Cemetery, rural Glenwood, IA.

Memorials suggested to St. Paul's Lutheran Church.