Bessie M. Knope

Bessie Marie Olson was born on March 5, 1917 in Angelica, WI, the daughter of John and Elsie (Johnson) Olson. She passed away in Venice, FL on March 11, 2015 at the age of 98 after a brief illness. On September 5, 1937 she married August “Gus” Knope in Two Rivers, WI. They were married for 53 years when Gus died in 1991. She was raised and attended school in Two Rivers, WI. She was the owner of Owen Glove Lining Co. with her husband. Upon retirement she and Gus moved to Florida where she enjoyed the rest of her life. She loved going to the North Port Senior Center where she ran the This & That Shop for many years. She also enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs on TV. Bessie was a member of Lakeside Lutheran Church in Venice, FL. She is survived by her sons Leland D. (Judith) Knope, Gerald A. Knope, Ronald L. (Linda) Knope, & Richard J. Knope, grandchildren Kevin, Kendra, Jonathan, Meredith, Ann, John, & Mary, and great grandchildren Rhianna, Jacob R, Jacob E, Jordan, Jami, Maisie, Kendall, Carson, Matthew, Megan, Elizabeth, & Emily. She was preceded in death by her husband Gus, daughter-in-law Janet Knope, grandson Michael Knope, brothers Edward, John, Herbert, Vernon, Raymond, Roydan, & Harold, and sisters Lila, Olive, Alice, Inez, & Irene. A memorial service was hels at St. mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Watertown. If desired, memorials may be given to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.