Arlys Knoop

Arlys Knoop, age 83, of Neillsville, WI died Thursday, October 20, 2022, at the Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield surrounded by her loving family after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Arlys Mary Knoop was born on January 19, 1939, in Augusta, WI the daughter of Carl and Esther (Marten) Smith. She attended school for six years in Humbird, WI before moving to Neillsville. She graduated from Neillsville High School in 1957. On October 5, 1957, she was united in marriage to Ervin Knoop at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville. Arlys worked for 22 years as a secretary at Nelson Industries before retiring in 1998. Later, they sold their 4th generation homestead farm to their daughter and her husband and moved into Neillsville. Ervin died On October 15, 2013.

Arlys was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and their ladies aid, organizing many funeral luncheons over the past several years. She did volunteer work for the Red Cross, Aging Department, Memorial Hospital Gift Shoppe, and the Senior Center Wednesday cards. Arlys also worked as a poll worker during the elections for many years.

She enjoyed playing games and cards, especially cribbage with her family and friends. Her favorite hobby was making stamped greeting cards. Arlys and Ervin enjoyed traveling to Alaska and Hawaii, and she was always ready for short travels.

She is survived by six children, Shelby White of Alton, MO, Carol (Mike) Fox of Janesville, Janet (Pete) Schmidt of Neillsville, twins: Dawn (Ron) Bohman of Marshfield, David (Peggy) Knoop of Merrill and Judith (Kevin) Zickert of Neillsville who currently live on the Knoop homesteaded farm of 4 generations. Arlys is also survived by 14 loving grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren, two brothers, Kenneth (Marilyn) Smith of Plover, WI and Gordon (Mary) Smith of Stevens Point, WI, sisters-in-law, Donna Smith of Madison, WI, and Betty Smith of Vesper, WI, brothers and sisters-in-law, Jean and Kenny Goetz of Neillsville, WI and Gale Minsaas of Casper, WY.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ervin, her parents, Carl and Esther Smith, sister, Elaine, twin sister, Arlene, brothers, Earl, Carl and Marvin and many brothers and sisters-in-law.

Funeral services for Arlys will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, October 24, 2022, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville. Pastor Timothy Biebert will officiate. Music will be provided by Judy Trunkel, organist. Interment will be in the North Pine Valley Cemetery in Neillsville. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday at the Gesche Funeral Home and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Monday at the church.

Pallbearers are her grandsons: Jason Garbisch, Elliot Sikora, Derek Sikora, Jacob Fox, Brandon Knoop, Josh Bohman, Eric Bohman and Nathan Schmidt.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. 

Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Arlys’s family with Funeral arrangements.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.