1930-2025
Jean Crescentia Knobbe was born on her family’s farm on Nov. 9, 1930, to her parents, Leonard and Crescentia (Becker) Willenborg, in Templeton. She grew up on the family farm and went to school at Sacred Heart.
After attending school, Jean worked alongside her brother, Art, and sister, Norma, at Ocoma Foods. She also helped families around the neighborhood.
On Feb. 23, 1954, she married her handsome husband, Lee Knobbe, who had an endless number of jokes to share. After marrying, they moved to a farm west of Guthrie Center, where they raised hogs, cattle, chickens and crops.
Together, they had two children, Cheryl and Keith. A mere 14 months apart, they could have been mistaken for twins.
Jean was an entrepreneur, running a small business out of her home dressing chickens, gathering eggs and raising garden produce to sell. She also worked at Bayard Produce for several years, where she made many friends and gained new customers.
When she wasn’t working hard, Jean enjoyed crocheting, baking and talking on the phone endlessly with her friends and daughter, Cheryl. Her pancakes and sugar cookies were favorites among her grandchildren. There were many contests to see who could eat the most in one sitting.
Jean lived a full life and was loved by her family and friends. She joined her husband and dogs, Maxwell and Maggie, in heaven on Oct. 10, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Art Willenborg; and sister, Norma Knobbe.
Jean is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Bosier (Ken); son, Keith Knobbe (Cris); grandchildren Tracy Lynch (Rod), John Knobbe (Wanda), Courtney Redfern (Travis), Jamie Carlson (Chris), Ross Knobbe (Geneva), Brooke Bosier and Ryan Knobbe (Lauren); great-grandchildren Tyler (Maddie), Trevor, Hunter, Hannah and Lauren Lynch; Kiersten, Jaxen and Hadley Knobbe; Mackenzie and Justin Reinhart; Taylor, Kelsey and Brandon Carlson; Henry Knobbe; Lane Bonner; Clark and Kane Knobbe; great-great grandchildren Maren and Easton Lynch; sister, Lois Adolf; and many other nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Oct. 17, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Guthrie Center with visitation one hour prior in the parish hall.