01/07/2006
Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m., Wednesday morning, January 11, 2006, at Central United Methodist Church with Reverend Robert Dean officiating.
Interment: Cremation has been accorded and burial will be held privately at a later date.
Laura died suddenly of a massive stroke, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006, at the Mahaska Hospital at the age of 83 years, 2 months, and 10 days.
Laura Annette (Crosby), Knowles – Harvey daughter of the late Margie Jane Shives and Oliver Boyd Crosby was born on Oct. 28, 1922, in Knoxville, IA.
She married Melvin Knowles on Dec. 31, 1940; he died in May 1984. She assisted Mel in their Southern Iowa TV repair service and later was secretary-receptionist at KNIA radio station in Knoxville, IA, where she gained a following as the “Swap Shop” on-air voice. A member of the Knoxville Methodist Church, she was active in United Methodist Women, taught Sunday School, and sang in the Sanctuary Choir, as well as the women’s group, the “Inspirations”.
Laura enjoyed the beauty and solitude of nature and took joy in tending her gardens, feeding the birds, and swimming
and camping in the north country on annual family vacations. She volunteered time in hospice activities and visited shut-ins.
Laura married Irvin Harvey on Oct 25, 1997, and was blessed with his companionship and love. They enjoyed traveling in
their fifth wheeler to visit friends and family across the country. Laura found new friends in Oskaloosa, including her new adult Sunday School class, church women’s circle, Farm Families Group, and PEO. Laura was loving and much loved.
She sang and whistled beautifully – especially while washing dishes, she told wonderful stories, and extended her care and friendship to many during her life.
She will be greatly missed by her husband, Irvin; her children and spouses, Mel and Mora Knowles of Ventura, CA; Greg Knowles and Sandy Tweedy of Tucson, AZ; Claudia and Bob Applegate of Milan, IL; Jane and Steve Maddison of Cedar Rapids, IA; 12 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; her sister, Dorothy Poor of St. Louis, MO; sister-in-law, Marybelle Crosby of Fremont, IA; and many cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends.
Her parents; husband, Mel Knowles; brothers, Wilbur, Richard, Dean, and Dan; and sisters, Virginia and Shirley Crosby and Margaret Reay preceded her in death.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to music programs of the Oskaloosa or Knoxville Methodist Church, hospice, Iowa Public Television, or a charity of your choice in keeping with Laura’s life and interests.