Paul Knock

Paul Knock, age 71, Willow Lake, died in the Sanford USD Medical Center on Wednesday afternoon, January 8, 2020 after a brief illness.

Rescheduled Graveside Services will be held on Monday, July 27, 2020, at 10:30 AM in the Collins Cemetery at Willow Lake with full military honors presented by the Johnny Fonken American Legion Post #113 in Willow Lake and the South Dakota Marine Corps National Honor Guard. Pastor Colin Beveridge will officiate.

Visitation was held on Sunday, January 12, 2020 from 4:30-6:30 PM at the Grace Lutheran Church in Willow Lake and  continued in the Church on Monday morning one hour preceding services.

Funeral services were held on Monday, January 13, 2020 at 11AM in the Grace Lutheran Church at Willow Lake.  The Reverend Taffe and Pastor Colin Beveridge officiated. Dorothy Fuller was be the organist. Casketbearers will be Roger, Tebbo, Richard, Wallace, Derik, Eric, and Jared Knock.  The Johnny Fonken American Legion Post #113 of Willow Lake should consider themselves as honorary casketbearers.  Burial will be in the spring with full military honors at Collins Cemetery at Willow Lake.

He was born on Friday, February 13th 1948 in Lennox, the son of Arthur and Inez (Hassebroek) Knock.  He was the oldest of 7 children.  They moved to a family farm south west of Willow Lake in the spring of 1957.  Paul attended country school  for a short while where they walked up hill both ways, east of their home.   He then attended and proudly graduated from Willow Lake High School in 1966.  After a semester at Northern State University in Aberdeen, he joined the United States Marine Corps.  He went to boot camp in San Diego, CA and soon after was shipped off to Vietnam where he did two tours before being discharged in 1971.  He spent some time in California and Arizona doing odd jobs until he hitch hiked home to help on the family farm.

On May 27, 1979 he married his "Fancy" Laurie Halvorsen.  During the 40 years of marriage he proudly watched their daughters Arrin and Rorie grow up, get married and start their families. He also enjoyed any time he could get spending with his 6 grandchildren and watching their activities.

They formed the Knock Brothers Dairy with siblings, Wally and Richard.  In the early 2000's the partnership was dissolved.  He spent the summer after that working for Jamie Hohm Construction and then began employment with DAVISCO until January 4, 2019.  He spent the last year enjoying the good life and retirement with family and friends.

He'll be long remembered for dressing as a Pirate, being the voice of the "Pirates" announcing football games and famous quotes such as, "Lordy, Lordy" amongst others!  He loved good ol Rock n Roll music, his family, friends, sports especially the Raiders and the Kentucky Wildcats.  His love for his country never died- once a Marine always a Marine. He was the legion commander for Johnny Fonken post #113  for over 25 years, a duty he was honored to do.

Preceding him in death were his parents and a brother in law Bruce (Doc) Westling.

Survivors include his wife Laurie, a daughter, Arrin (Lane) Wirtjes all of Willow Lake, Rorie (Tyler) Gregor of Black Hawk, SD and grandchildren, Braeden, Masyn, Drake, Charlee, Natasha, and McKinley.  He also leaves siblings, Roger (Sharry) Knock of DeSmet, Ruth Westling of Alcester, Tebbo Knock of Brookings, Richard (Crystal) Knock of Bryant, Wallace (Kathy) Knock of Willow Lake, and Ardy (Marty) Conway of Arroyo Grande, CA.  Also  aunts, uncles, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements are announced by the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com