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William Knowles Obituary
West Des Moines - On November 10, 2018, William E. Knowles, 91, went to the arms of our Lord. Born in Melrose, IA to William S. and Mary Alice (White) Knowles on September 3, 1927. He was a graduate of Central Catholic High School in Ottumwa and Creighton University. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. Bill was with Principal Financial Group for 42 years, retiring in 1992 as First Vice President of Commercial Real Estate. He was a member of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers. Having served on Mercy College Of Health Sciences Board of Directors, Des Moines St. Serra Club, Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher and Associates Breakfast Club, Bill was committed to his community, his faith, and his family.
Bill enjoyed old geography maps, Chicago Cubs and Creighton Basketball.
He is survived by his wife, Dixie Harmeyer Knowles, three children, Mary Pat O'Malley of Denver, CO, Therese Bender of Omaha, NE, and Dan Knowles (Virginia) of Los Angeles, CA; eight grandchildren, Katie Odom (Rob), Bridget Hamilton (Ben), Megan Greenlee (Isaac), Jessica Barger (Travis), Chase Way (Jeremiah), William Knowles (Meredith), Maxwell Knowles and Truman Knowles; eleven great-grandchildren, four step-children: Cyndi Harmeyer Fisher (Rand), David Harmeyer (Jeanne), Tim Harmeyer (Sarah), and Patrick Harmeyer; nine step-grandchildren, Meredith (Brian) King, Maggie Fisher, Maxwell Fisher, Katie Harmeyer, Charlie Harmeyer, Claire Harmeyer, Emma Harmeyer, Johnny Harmeyer, and Sam Harmeyer; and two step great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Lucille, his parents, sister, Madeline Carr and one great-grandson Owen Barger.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 16, 2018, at St. Francis of Assisi, 7075 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines, where the family will receive friends from 9 - 10:30 a.m. Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at Calvary Cemetery in Omaha, NE. Memorials can be made to Mercy College of Health Sciences, 928 6th Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309.
The family would like to thank the staff of John Stoddard Health Center for their loving care.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
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Sponsored by the Des Moines Register.
1 Entry
Peggy Moore
November 13, 2018
I'm so very, very sorry, Dixie. Sending you my thoughts and prayers. Peggy Moore (EHS)
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