Lois Mary Knowles

Lois Mary Knowles, age 99, of Albia, Iowa, formerly of Melrose, passed away on Friday, June 23, 2023, at the Monroe County Hospital in care of Hospice. Lois was born November 29, 1923, in Woodburn, IA, to P.V. and Nellie (Viertz) Fitzpatrick. She grew up attending school and graduated from the Woodburn High School in the class of 1941. On June 23, 1947, she was united in marriage to John P. Knowles at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Chariton, and to this union, 4 children were born, Joann, Sheila, Mike, and Joe. Lois and John were blessed with 67 years of marriage prior to John’s passing on December 7, 2014. They farmed and raised their family in the Melrose area. Lois began her professional life as a teacher in the Lucas County Country School. After her marriage to John, they moved to the family farm. Lois later returned to teaching after receiving her degree from William Penn College in 1973. She enjoyed a life of learning and teaching in the Albia Community School Distrtict from 1973 to 1988 after which she retired and moved to Albia from Melrose with her husband John. She was an active member of the education union and was a member of the Past School Employees Union after her retirement. Lois was an active member of her community and had many hobbies. She was a member of the St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society in Albia as well as St. Patrick’s in Melrose. She started one of the first 4-H Clubs in the Melrose area, the Jackson Stars. She continued her commitment to 4-H by serving as a 4-H leader, volunteering her time at the Monroe County Fair, elected to the 4-H Alumni Award in 1967, and John and Lois were inducted in the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame in 2009 after over 60 years of service to the organization. Lois was famous for her pie baking ability. She enjoyed entering into the open class events. She passed her love of baking on to her family and friends. She was an active member of the Albia Quilters Guild and was a master of quilting and needlework. She enjoyed being outdoors, gardening and tending to her strawberry patch. Above all else, Lois enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Lois is survived by her four children, Joann (Tom) McDonald of Albia, Sheila (Randy) Denburger of Oskaloosa, Mike (Jane) Knowles of Melrose and Joe (Kris) Knowles of Melrose; 11 grandchildren, Pat (Brenda) McDonald, Andrea (Jason Smith) West, Scott (Melissa) McDonald, Kevin (Felicia) McDonald, Katie (Brian) Eipers, Sarah (Tom) Martin, Andy (Amber) Denburger, Betsy (Joe) Miller, Jill (Tor) Christiansen, Joe (Kari) Knowles, and John (Peyton) Knowles; 33 great grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; a sister, LaVera Cottrell; and a brother, Harold Fitzpatrick. Lois is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, John; her parents, P.V. and Nellie Fitzpatrick; 4 brothers-in-law, Ed Mahoney, Tom Cottrell, Pat Knowles and Leo Beary; 3 sisters-in-law, Mary Mahoney, CK Knowles, and Mary Lou Fitzpatrick; nephews, Tommy Cottrell and Jim Cottrell; a niece-in-law, Julie Cottrell; and a niece, Rita Kalmes. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 26, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia, with Lois’s family present to greet family and friends. A Mass of Christian of Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 26, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia, with Father Mark Yates, C.PP.S. officiating. Burial will follow services at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Albia. Memorials have been established for memorial masses, St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Albia or to 4-H for scholarships.

Lois Mary Knowles

November 29, 1923 - June 23, 2023