Mary ‘Irene’ McKnight, 94, died December 12, 2020 at Avantara Arrowhead, Rapid City, SD after a long journey through illness. She was born August 17, 1926, to her parents, Susie and Leopold Jambois, in Lawrence, Kansas where they lived. She had one older brother, Victor, and a younger sister, Emma who died of pneumonia at the age of 9. Early in her school career, teachers learned to call her “Irene” because Irene would not answer to Mary. When Irene was in high school, the family moved to California so her father and brother could work in the fishing industry.
Irene and her mother, rode the church bus regularly to church and one evening, a couple of soldiers showed up. That evening, Irene met Royal McKnight, from Albion Montana. That was the beginning of a long, love relationship. They were married September 19, 1947 after Royal returned from Korea and was honorably discharged from the service, June, 1947.
Irene and Royal lived with his parents briefly in Roseburg, Oregon, then moved to the McKnight homestead near the Finger Buttes, where they ranched with his older brother, Leonard and wife Grace. Irene and Royal had four children. In 1963, Irene and Royal moved to a farm in the Arpan, SD community where they farmed, raised sheep and cows and Royal developed irrigation systems and built roads. Irene enjoyed farm life. She worked in her garden, growing lots of vegetables to feed the family and share with many friends. For years, Irene rose early and drove to Belle Fourche before daylight to work in the laundry at John Burns Memorial Hospital. She then headed to the hay fields to get the swathing done before dark. Irene was very involved in her church. She began teaching the Nursery Sunday School class at age 12 and continued that calling until the age of 75. She was also involved in the church choir and Women’s Missionary Council. She made doughnuts for youth fund raisers, and frequently made dinners to share with friends after church. After all the kids had grown, Royal and Irene moved to their last farm near Onida, SD. In 2006, they moved to Rapid City, SD in order to have medical care more readily available to them.
Irene is survived by her daughter and her sons,11 Grandchildren,18 Great grandchildren,2 Great-great and many nieces and nephews.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Royal McKnight, daughter, Gloria Crumet, parents, Susie and Leopold Jambois, brother, Victor Jambois, and sister, Emma Jambois.
A memorial has been established to: BGMC (Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge)
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at First Assembly of God Church in Rapid City.
A visitation will start at 10:30 a.m.
Burial will be in Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.
Irene and her mother, rode the church bus regularly to church and one evening, a couple of soldiers showed up. That evening, Irene met Royal McKnight, from Albion Montana. That was the beginning of a long, love relationship. They were married September 19, 1947 after Royal returned from Korea and was honorably discharged from the service, June, 1947.
Irene and Royal lived with his parents briefly in Roseburg, Oregon, then moved to the McKnight homestead near the Finger Buttes, where they ranched with his older brother, Leonard and wife Grace. Irene and Royal had four children. In 1963, Irene and Royal moved to a farm in the Arpan, SD community where they farmed, raised sheep and cows and Royal developed irrigation systems and built roads. Irene enjoyed farm life. She worked in her garden, growing lots of vegetables to feed the family and share with many friends. For years, Irene rose early and drove to Belle Fourche before daylight to work in the laundry at John Burns Memorial Hospital. She then headed to the hay fields to get the swathing done before dark. Irene was very involved in her church. She began teaching the Nursery Sunday School class at age 12 and continued that calling until the age of 75. She was also involved in the church choir and Women’s Missionary Council. She made doughnuts for youth fund raisers, and frequently made dinners to share with friends after church. After all the kids had grown, Royal and Irene moved to their last farm near Onida, SD. In 2006, they moved to Rapid City, SD in order to have medical care more readily available to them.
Irene is survived by her daughter and her sons,11 Grandchildren,18 Great grandchildren,2 Great-great and many nieces and nephews.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Royal McKnight, daughter, Gloria Crumet, parents, Susie and Leopold Jambois, brother, Victor Jambois, and sister, Emma Jambois.
A memorial has been established to: BGMC (Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge)
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at First Assembly of God Church in Rapid City.
A visitation will start at 10:30 a.m.
Burial will be in Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.
Mary ‘Irene’ McKnight, 94, died December 12, 2020 at Avantara Arrowhead, Rapid City, SD after a long journey through illness. She was born August 17, 1926, to her parents, Susie and Leopold Jambois, in Lawrence, Kansas where they lived. She had one older brother, Victor, and a younger sister, Emma who died of pneumonia at the age of 9. Early in her school career, teachers learned to call her “Irene” because Irene would not answer to Mary. When Irene was in high school, the family moved to California so her father and brother could work in the fishing industry.
Irene and her mother, rode the church bus regularly to church and one evening, a couple of soldiers showed up. That evening, Irene met Royal McKnight, from Albion Montana. That was the beginning of a long, love relationship. They were married September 19, 1947 after Royal returned from Korea and was honorably discharged from the service, June, 1947.
Irene and Royal lived with his parents briefly in Roseburg, Oregon, then moved to the McKnight homestead near the Finger Buttes, where they ranched with his older brother, Leonard and wife Grace. Irene and Royal had four children. In 1963, Irene and Royal moved to a farm in the Arpan, SD community where they farmed, raised sheep and cows and Royal developed irrigation systems and built roads. Irene enjoyed farm life. She worked in her garden, growing lots of vegetables to feed the family and share with many friends. For years, Irene rose early and drove to Belle Fourche before daylight to work in the laundry at John Burns Memorial Hospital. She then headed to the hay fields to get the swathing done before dark. Irene was very involved in her church. She began teaching the Nursery Sunday School class at age 12 and continued that calling until the age of 75. She was also involved in the church choir and Women’s Missionary Council. She made doughnuts for youth fund raisers, and frequently made dinners to share with friends after church. After all the kids had grown, Royal and Irene moved to their last farm near Onida, SD. In 2006, they moved to Rapid City, SD in order to have medical care more readily available to them.
Irene is survived by her daughter and her sons,11 Grandchildren,18 Great grandchildren,2 Great-great and many nieces and nephews.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Royal McKnight, daughter, Gloria Crumet, parents, Susie and Leopold Jambois, brother, Victor Jambois, and sister, Emma Jambois.
A memorial has been established to: BGMC (Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge)
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at First Assembly of God Church in Rapid City.
A visitation will start at 10:30 a.m.
Burial will be in Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.
Irene and her mother, rode the church bus regularly to church and one evening, a couple of soldiers showed up. That evening, Irene met Royal McKnight, from Albion Montana. That was the beginning of a long, love relationship. They were married September 19, 1947 after Royal returned from Korea and was honorably discharged from the service, June, 1947.
Irene and Royal lived with his parents briefly in Roseburg, Oregon, then moved to the McKnight homestead near the Finger Buttes, where they ranched with his older brother, Leonard and wife Grace. Irene and Royal had four children. In 1963, Irene and Royal moved to a farm in the Arpan, SD community where they farmed, raised sheep and cows and Royal developed irrigation systems and built roads. Irene enjoyed farm life. She worked in her garden, growing lots of vegetables to feed the family and share with many friends. For years, Irene rose early and drove to Belle Fourche before daylight to work in the laundry at John Burns Memorial Hospital. She then headed to the hay fields to get the swathing done before dark. Irene was very involved in her church. She began teaching the Nursery Sunday School class at age 12 and continued that calling until the age of 75. She was also involved in the church choir and Women’s Missionary Council. She made doughnuts for youth fund raisers, and frequently made dinners to share with friends after church. After all the kids had grown, Royal and Irene moved to their last farm near Onida, SD. In 2006, they moved to Rapid City, SD in order to have medical care more readily available to them.
Irene is survived by her daughter and her sons,11 Grandchildren,18 Great grandchildren,2 Great-great and many nieces and nephews.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Royal McKnight, daughter, Gloria Crumet, parents, Susie and Leopold Jambois, brother, Victor Jambois, and sister, Emma Jambois.
A memorial has been established to: BGMC (Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge)
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at First Assembly of God Church in Rapid City.
A visitation will start at 10:30 a.m.
Burial will be in Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.
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