Mary Knowles' Obituary
Mary Fay Knowles, 90, of Des Moines, IA (formerly of West Putnam County, MO) passed away at Addington Place of Des Moines on February 23, 2025.
Mary Knowles was born on February 27, 1934, in rural Putnam County, the daughter of Francis and Lora (Coffman) Small.
On October 6th, 1950, she married Neal Knowles and four children were born to this union.
After graduating from West Putnam High School, Mary became an entrepreneur and took in clothing for ironing. Later she worked at Colonial Bread Company in Des Moines and ended up retiring from the US Postal Service as a mail sorter. Mary was known for her strong work ethic all her life. After retiring, Mary and Neal sold their acreage in New Virginia and became full time snowbirds where they followed the sunshine and warmth to the western and southern states. After her husband, Neal passed in 2005 she moved to Truro, IA. Later she lived with her son Glen before entering an assisted living facility.
Mary was known for her special saying of, "you better behave, or I'll get the wooden spoon." Mary will be greatly missed for her spunkiness and sense of humor.
Mary Knowles is survived by a daughter, Patty Garner and husband Mike of Truro, IA; son, Glen Knowles (Bev McKinney) of Indianola, and daughter-n-law Dorothy (Bob) Knowles; sisters, Judy Skipper and husband Dennis, Phylis Seaton and husband Gent; grandchildren are Melody (Chad) Lucht, Kelly (Darrell) Stark, Chad (DeAnna) Garner, Michele (Allen) Cook, Rodney Knowles, and Brian Knowles, many great and great-great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband Mary was preceded in death by 2 sons, Robert and Danny, and a grandson Jason.
Funeral Services for Mary will be held Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 11:30 am at Thomas Funeral Home in Unionville, MO with a burial to follow at Unionville Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 26, 2025, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. Memorials in Mary's honor may be made payable to the Unionville Cemetery and entrusted to the Thomas Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565. Condolences may be shared at https://www.thomasfh.com or https://facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
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