Keith W. Knoche

Keith Warren Knoche, 86 years of age, of Beatrice passed away at Beatrice Health and Rehab Sunday evening, December 9, 2018. He was born on March 30, 1932 in Filley to Everett and Blanche (Hadley) Knoche Sr. He lived his early years on family farms near Filley and Virginia where farming became his lifelong interest. Keith was a 1951 graduate of the Beatrice High School where he played varsity football, basketball and legion baseball. After graduation, Keith served his country in the United States Navy. He served from August 2, 1951 to May 28, 1953 during the Korean Conflict serving on the aircraft carrier USS Tripoli.

Keith and Donna Kunc were married in June of 1953. After his Navy service, he was employed by Natural Gas Pipeline of America in Beatrice, later transferred to the Joliet, Ill. laboratory as a metallurgist, and later back to Beatrice where he retired. In 1985 Keith started farming with his son Steve before retiring from farming in 2005. He also worked for Collins Real Estate and Woods Brothers in Beatrice and managed several personal rental properties. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and both the American Legion and VFW Clubs in Beatrice.

Keith enjoyed many family vacations with his sibling and their families, boating, water skiing, and fishing at the Lake of the Ozarks. He also enjoyed annual trips to California to spend time dining and watching sporting events with his brother Joe. Keith was busy with church activities and enjoyed hosting the fellowship hour as well as serving meals at Warren's Table. He also enjoyed spending time in his kitchen preparing soups and chili as well as out on the deck barbecuing.

He was always interested in and kept abreast of the farming industry and enjoyed working the fields with his son Steve. Keith was an avid sports fan, especially following all the Nebraska sports teams (like Husker football, basketball and volleyball). He especially enjoyed taking grandsons Kyle and Spencer to team sports camps and attending their sporting events.

Survivors include son Steve Knoche and wife Glenda of Virginia, NE; grandsons Kyle and Spencer Knoche of Virginia, NE; brothers and sisters in law Lloyd Knoche of Bakersfield, Calif., Darlene Kunc of Beatrice, Larry and Carolyn Baker of Alexandria, VA, and Virginia Kunc of Lincoln; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 65 years Donna (August 2018); brothers Harold (Reggie), Genevieve Anderson (John), Everett Jr. (Mary Jane), infant brother Richard.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 17, 2018 at the First Presbyterian Church in Beatrice with Reverend Zac Wolfe officiating. Inurnment will be at the Evergreen Home Cemetery. Public visitation will be held Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice with the family greeting friends from 4-6:00 p.m. A family prayer service will be held at 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church. A memorial has been established to the church with Andy and Lynn Carothers in charge. Sign Keith's online guest book at www.ghchapel.com.

These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.