Joyce Knowles

Joyce Knowles, 89, Summerfield, passed away Friday, May 3,2024 at Midland Hospice, Topeka, KS. 

Visitation was held at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at Kinsley Mortuary in Marysville, KS with the funeral service following at 2:30 p.m. Pastor Janelle Knowles officiated.  Maliyah Runnels sang, "On Eagles Wings" and "Dancing in the Sky."

Pallbearers were Jim Knowles, Jason Knowles, Matthew Khalil, Matt Huls, Griffin Huls and Kent Dierking.  Honorary pallbearers were Donald Miller, Gerald Johnson, John Miller and Donald Scheibe. 

Burial was in Richland Center Cemetery, Summerfield, KS.

Joyce was born February 6, 1935, in Scandia, KS, the daughter of William Carl and Fern Dougherty. She attended Summerfield schools and graduated high school in 1953.  Joyce worked for an insurance company in Lincoln, NE following high school until she married Frank Ivan Knowles, August 28, 1955. Frank and Joyce moved to Lawton, OK in 1956-1958, where Frank was stationed in the US Army at Ft. Sill. In 1958 they moved back to a farm outside of Summerfield and in 1960 moved to their farm where she resided for the remainder of her life.

Joyce was a member of the Richland Center Church of the Brethren until it’s closure and then became a member of the Presbyterian Church in Summerfield. She was a faithful member until it’s closure in 2021. Joyce loved to tell others about the Lord and this was the most important thing in her life. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Eastern Star, and community clubs.

Joyce had a talent for music. One of her highlights in life was sharing her music with others. She had a beautiful voice that she shared with many. She was part of trio that sang at church and community events. She also enjoyed playing fast pitch softball in her younger years as a pitcher and loved sharing her story of her no-hit game.

Joyce loved people and life. Everyone loved her laugh, smile, and numerous stories. She was known to be fun, loving, and up for an adventure. She enjoyed entertaining and attending social events where she could share time with her family and friends. She dedicated her life to her family. One of her highlights were her grandchildren. She spent numerous hours taking grandchildren and their friends to fairs, music events, parks, races, church activities and much more.

Joyce was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her smile and laugh will remain forever in the hearts of those who knew her.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Edward and Florence Knowles; son, Gregory Knowles; grandson, Jesse Frank Knowles; and her sister, Mary Lee Evans.

She is survived by her husband, Frank Ivan Knowles; son, Ed Knowles, Rockford, NE; daughter, Barb (Kent) Khalil, Topeka, KS; grandson, Matthew Khalil, Lone Tree, CO; granddaughters, Jenny (Matt) Huls, Hickman, NE, MiKayla Khalil, Kansas City, MO, and Marissa Khalil, Los Angeles, CA; great grandchildren, Maliyah Runnels, Griffin Huls, and Sylvia Huls.

A memorial fund is established and will be designated later.  Contributions may be sent in care of Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home, Axtell, KS or Kinsley Mortuary, Marysville, KS.