Irene Emma Knobloch

Rock Rapids, IA Irene Knobloch, age 90 of Rock Rapids, IA died Saturday, June 5, 2010 at the Rock Rapids Health Centre. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at the Apostolic Christian Church in Lester. Burial will follow in the Apostolic Christian Cemetery at Lester. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 8th with the family present from 2:00 " 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 " 8:00 p.m. at the Apostolic Christian Church Fellowship Hall. Irene Emma Knobloch was born on September 6, 1919, the daughter of Jacob and Emma (Goetzinger) Merkel in Wolcott, IN. She grew up in the Wolcott and Remington, IN area and attended school there through the tenth grade. She later worked as a housekeeper in Francesville, IN for a time and then moved to Elgin, IL, where she worked for the Elgin Watch Factory. On March 23, 1946, Irene was united in marriage to Nathan Bud Knobloch in Elgin, IL. The couple made their home in rural Alvord, IA, where they were blessed with six children. Irene and Nathan moved to Lester, IA in 1978, and continued farming until they retired in 1985. In 2007, they moved to Premier Estates in Rock Rapids, IA. Nathan died in August of 2008. After suffering a fall in April, Irene moved to the Rock Rapids Health Centre, where she died this past Saturday. Irene was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church. She enjoyed crocheting, cooking, gardening, and sewing. She took pleasure in making clothes for her children. She also loved to visit with her family and many friends. Irene is survived by her six children, Connie Knobloch of La Crosse, IN, Kathy J. Knobloch of Sioux Falls, SD, Kelvin (Marion) Knobloch of Illiopolis, IL, Tom (Jeri) Knobloch of Madison, KS, Levi Knobloch of Redwood Falls, MN and Denis (Jackie) Knobloch of Alvord, IA; thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; one sister, Aline Merkel of Francesville, IN; one sister-in-law, Helen (Mrs. Otto) Merkel of Remington, IN; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Nathan; two brothers, Otto and Alvin Merkel; and two nephews, Michal and Robert Merkel.