Cecilia (CK) Clare Knowles

Cecilia Clare (CK) Knowles, age 80 of Melrose, died Thursday, April 18, 2013, at her home. CK was born April 9, 1933, to Francis and Ann (Smith) Heffron in Georgetown. She married Patrick Knowles on May 2, 1953, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Georgetown. She enjoyed being a wife, mother, grandmother, and raising her family. CK and Pat were blessed with five children, Mary Jo, Terry, Mark, Julie, and Helen. A graduate of Georgetown High School, class of 1951, CK attended Ottumwa Heights College. She worked for Farm Bureau and Chicago Rivet & Machine Company. CK was a lifetime member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Melrose and also St. Patrick's Altar and Rosary Society. She was a Monroe County Hospital board member, 4-H leader, and member of the Irish Green Hat Society. CK had a love for nature, birds, flowers, and trees, which she expressed through her artistic gift of painting on canvas, rocks, saws, or anything her friends requested. She enjoyed taking bus tours and vacations with friends and family. She also enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren at plays, music concerts, sporting events, and holidays. Over the years, CK was involved in many community events. CK is survived by a daughter, Mary Jo (Mike) Zern of Burlington, their children, Jeremy and Ryan (Lori) Zern, and grandchildren, Xavier and Kalea; son, Terry (Debi) Knowles of Waukee, and their children, Kevin and Keith; son, Mark (Renee) Knowles of Albia; daughter, Julie (Pat) Kearney of Chariton and their children, Shawn and Amber; and daughter, Helen (Bernard) Kurimski of Lovilia and their children, Heather (Sean) Balzer, Ryan (Kylee) Kurimski, and Aaron. She is also survived by two brothers, Joe and Bob Heffron; and a sister, Helen (Heffron) McDermott. CK was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Ann; and husband, Patrick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 22, 2013, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Melrose, with Fr. Patrick Lumsden and Fr. Michael E. Volkmer, C.PP.S. officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Melrose. Visitation will be 10 a.m.-3p.m., Sunday, April 21, 2013, at Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, and then 4:30-8 p.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Melrose, with CK's family present throughout the day and evening. A Rosary will be led at 7p.m., followed by a Christian Wake Service, Sunday evening in Melrose. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Melrose.

Cecilia (CK) Clare Knowles

April 9, 1933 - April 18, 2013