Marguerite "Rita" Knights

Marguerite “Rita” Knights, age 99, of Storm Lake, Iowa died July 14, 2021, at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake, Iowa. Funeral Services will be Saturday, July 17, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake, Iowa. Burial will be at the Cedar Cemetery in Fonda, Iowa. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on July 17, 2021. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of arrangements. Marguerite Clymer, the daughter of Roy and Josephine (Ellis) Clymer, was born in Jolley, Iowa on May 14, 1922. She attended school in Rockwell City, IA. Rita was united in marriage to Roger “Buck” Calvin Knights on October 7, 1939 in Lytton, Iowa. On April 20, 1940 they welcomed their son, Dale, into their family. Buck and Rita spent their early years of marriage in Fonda, Iowa where Buck worked trucking for the lumber yard and Rita babysat for another family. They later moved to Storm Lake and Buck worked for the meat packing plant and Rita continued working for the same family. Rita was a faithful member of the United Church of Christ in Storm Lake. She was active in her community and assisting with the Storm Lake Senior Citizens and visiting local nursing homes. Rita always looked for a way to be serving others either by offering transportation or home care for the elderly. Buck and Rita’s grandchildren spent many enjoyable summer days at their grandparents. Rita enjoyed looking for bargains at garage sales and often had her grandchildren in tow. Her service to others continued with her work at Buena Vista Community Hospital in the housekeeping department. She enjoyed camping and vacationing with her sister and best friend Ruth, and Ruth’s husband Marion. Ruth and Rita never missed an opportunity to share a meal (literally). The last years of Rita’s life were spent at Methodist Manor where she appreciated all the care she received and friends she made. Rita spent her entire life serving and caring for others. Always putting them first. She taught by example. Through that, we learned how to work hard, love and care for our family, friends and even strangers, and to be resilient and thrifty. Patti Lange, her beloved niece, always felt we had an angel in our midst with Rita around. Rita will be dearly missed by her family which include her son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Karen Knights; four grandchildren: Jeff (Amy) Knights of Craig, Colorado; Brent (Jana) Knights of Melrose, Wisconsin; Jill (Joe) Wanninger of Panora, Iowa; Brian (Lori) of Polk City, Iowa; great-grandchildren: Elizabeth (Adam) Tucker; Nate (Ashley) Knights; Meghan (Derek) Oppelt; Luke (Jenna) Wanninger; Brooke (Devin) Smith; Bailey, Lauren, Logan Knights; 10 great-great grandchildren; niece, Patti Lange and her family; sister-in-law, Jan Clymer of Estherville, IA. Rita is preceded in death by her parents: Roy and Josephine Clymer; her husband: Roger Knights; brothers: Bill, Ralph, LeRoy, Cecil, Sam, and Leland; sisters: Ruth and Helen; great-grandson, Jesse Knights.

Marguerite "Rita" Knights

May 14, 1922 - July 15, 2021