Thelma Knoff
November 5, 1930 ~ April 16, 2022
Thelma Knoff, 91, Homemaker, died Saturday, April 16, 2022. Rosary will be at 10:00 am, Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 am, Thursday, April 21, 2022, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Preceded in death by her parents, James and Helen Gaston; husband, Robert Knoff; son, Steve Knoff; sister, Mildred. Survived by her sons, Leonard Knoff, James "Jimmy" (Margaret) Knoff, Gregory (Kim) Knoff; daughters, Susan (Keith) Barr, Brenda (Paul) Weigand; 16 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; sister, Weasey "Velma" Ferrar. Memorials have been established with: Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 124 N Roosevelt St, Wichita, KS 67208; or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S Market St, Wichita, KS 67202. Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel.
A tribute for Thelma, written by her daughter-in-law, Margaret Knoff:
Thelma Rosalee (Gaston) Knoff passed to her eternal rest on Holy Saturday, April 16, 2022.
Mom was born in Kinsley, Kansas on November 5, 1930, the first of three daughters to James and Helen Gaston. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Mildred, her son Steven, and her beloved husband Robert. She leaves behind her sister, Velma, her children Leonard, Susie, Brenda, Jimmy and Greg and a legacy of 16 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Thelma graduated from Northwest Junior High School May 24, 1946 and Kansas City Kansas Public High School on the 27th of May 1949.
I don't personally know much of Mom's story in between as I met her through my husband, Jimmy, in 2004. But Mom often told me the story that when she married dad and moved to Wichita, it was only supposed to be for a couple of years!
What I can tell you about Thelma is that she was of strong will and fiercely devoted to her husband. She also had great pride in her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She enjoyed family gatherings at holidays and was especially proud of keeping everyone well fed.
When you entered her home, you would often be gestured to sit in the living room opposite her to visit about your adventures and then hear her accounting of her family and their accomplishments.
In the summer of 2017, perhaps the hottest on record, mom had a series of falls that led to a hip replacement and unfortunately a stroke that left her physically debilitated. She became a resident of Regent Park Rehabilitation and Nursing beginning in September 2017.
This was not part of her plan for her final years with dad. It was hard, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Working closely with Brenda, we made sure, through the help of Blessed Sacrament friends and volunteers that dad was able to visit her most every day until he joined her to live there in April 2019.
When dad passed away in June 2021, Mom was not able to attend his funeral. I know this was of a great loss to her and she was not able to communicate her pain except through tears.
I have grown exponentially through my visits with mom, the Regent Park staff, and the Hospice team. I am very grateful to and for all the Regent Park staff and their dedication to mom, the Magdalen Homebound Eucharistic ministry team, Father Drew, Father Matt and Melinda, and I am eternally grateful for the support and services of her Hospice team, Becky, Lenear, and Chris. There is no doubt in my mind, that when these people pass on from this life, that Thelma will be there to greet you, thank you, and welcome you to heaven with dad and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you all for your prayers and support.
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I had the pleasure of getting to know Ms. Thelma at Regent Park through activities. She was such a gem, it breaks my heart to hear that she had passed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. I know Ms. Thelma and Mr. Bob are holding hands in heaven right now.