Janet L. Knorr

Jan Knorr passed into the loving arms of Jesus on March 12, 2025, at 97 years young with family by her side. She was born in Lake City, Iowa, to Roland and Cornelia Allbaugh on January 9, 1928, then grew up with her parents and older brother Ken in Eagle Grove, Iowa. She earned her undergraduate and nursing degrees from the University of Iowa. While in Nursing School, she met and fell in love with Keith H. Knorr, a medical student. They were married almost 70 years.

Dr. Knorr joined the medical group of Henry L. Harrell, Sr., M.D. as a general practitioner in Ocala in 1957. Four years later he commenced a three-year Obstetrics-Gynecology residency in Tampa, FL. Jan assisted him throughout the next 26 years in many ways in his private Ob-Gyn medical practice.

Jan was very involved in the Ocala community. She was a member of the Junior Women’s Club and a 67-year member of the First United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School to preschoolers and was the consummate care team member who faithfully visited shut-ins well into her nineties. Jan and Keith were long-time subscribers to and supporters of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, the Appleton Museum, the Ocala Civic Theater and were instrumental in the creation of the nursing program at the College of Central Florida. Jan was an active member of the Marion County Medical Auxiliary, a 77-year member of P.E.O. and a charter member of Chapter CT in Ocala.

In 1960, Jan was a charter member of a bridge group which played bridge every Wednesday morning September through May. She played bridge well with them the day before her stroke. Jan and Keith met monthly for supper with 20 other couples for more than 50 years. Jan was asked to bring dessert almost every time! Only one other widow has survived Jan from this special group of friends. Jan and Keith were members of a second supper club for 30 years and Jan’s desserts were their favorites. Pies with homemade crusts were her specialty but everything she made was delicious.

Jan learned to do needlework when she was nine years old. She has done numerous pieces, including special Christmas ornaments for her grandchildren. Her love of reading led her to being an integral part of the Reviewers Book Club from 1958 until her death. She loved cultivating her gorgeous roses and was indefatigable at weeding until she was 95. She also loved walking on the beach.

Jan and Keith attended their first Gator football game in 1957. They became avid Gator fans and were season ticket holders for UF football, men’s basketball and baseball. Three daughters, two sons-in-law, two granddaughters and a grandson-in-law are UF graduates, and one son-in-law was UF’s Vice-President for Development and Alumni Affairs for nearly ten years.

Jan’s husband, parents, brother and 4-yr-old great-grandson, Gabriel Wirtz, welcomed her into Heaven. Jan is survived by daughters: Denise Nichols (Bob), Cheryl Lindgren (Robert), Lisa Knorr and Rhonda Mack (Larry), 15 grandchildren: Bonnie Klusmeyer (Judd), Andrew Nichols (Nadya), Dana Wirtz (Lucas), Caitlin Lantz (Jeremy), Leah Newell, Erica Natale (Shawn), Beau Nichols (Ashley), Keith Nichols, Alexis Fuqua (Geoff) and Ian Nichols (Shaylynn); James Richard Knorr Lindgren, Gregory Robert Knorr Lindgren and Andrea Lindgren, Michelle Burns (Chandler) and Allison Mack; 26 great-grandchildren: Raelyn McCray (Maxwell), Warren, Greta and Jonah Klusmeyer; Adelaide, Evelyn, Tobias, Beatrice and Naomi Wirtz; Joshua, Caleb, Eliza, Victoria and Sophia Lantz; Kelly and Clementine Newell; Anastasia and Anthony Natale; Kenneth, Kole, Nora and Baby Nichols; Amoura and Baby Fuqua; Palmer and Sawyer Lindgren: great-great grandson Baby McCray; nephew David Allbaugh (Jeanne); nieces Ann Burrell (Steve) and Laurie Allbaugh, many cousins and their families.

Funeral will be at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at First United Methodist Church, 1126 E. Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala, Florida. The burial will be at Phelps Cemetery in Decorah, Iowa, next to her beloved husband. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to First United Methodist Church of Ocala, Hospice of Marion County Inc. or a charity of your choice.