Louis E. Knoflicek, 100, passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Highland Park Care Center with his family by his side.
Louis was born May 16, 1914 to August and Mary Knoflicek in Plattsmouth, NE. Louis earned a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1942.
A veteran of World War II, Louis served in the 6th Army Air Corp stationed in Panama as an airplane mechanic. He married Winifred White while on furlough on August 16, 1944 in Denver, Colo.
In 1963, Louis established Western Potatoes in Alliance with the help of Ed Weaver in Lincoln, NE.
After Winifred passed away in 1990, Louis married Phyllis Rothwell Curtiss on October 19, 1991 in Alliance, NE.
Louis was a member of the Potato Association of America, the Nebraska Potato Development Committee, Nebraska Natural Resources Commission, Alliance Public Library board, Eagles Club, Rotary Club and Toastmasters. As a member of the First Presbyterian Church, he served many positions including as a ruling elder and on the Native American Scholarship Fund committee.
On his 100th birthday last May, Louis received letters of congratulations from many state and national dignitaries, including Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, and the Nebraska Legislature passed Legislative Resolution 488 congratulating Louis on the occasion of his 100th birthday on May 16, 2014.
Louis is survived by his wife, Phyllis Knoflicek; his children Kathryn (Leonard) Jedlicka of Alliance, Mike (Ardis) Knoflicek of Norcross, GA, David (Charlotte) Knoflicek of Lincoln; his step children Larry Curtiss (Sherrie) of Alliance, Jim Curtiss of Wayne, NE, Mary Schadwinkel (Charles) of Alliance, and Jeanne Moran (Doug) of Broadwater; his grandchildren Vicki Jedlicka, Sheri Arevalo, Ken Jedlicka, Steve Jedlicka, Ted Jedlicka, Tami Tessman, Scott Knoflicek, Anne Knoflicek and Suzanne Steele; his step-grandchildren Vesta Jo Still, Vikki Power, Valerie Baker, Vanessa Riekenberg, John Curtiss, Jennifer Curtiss, Kerry Williams, Michael Schadwinkel, Andy Schadwinkel, David Schadwinkel, Hannah Moran and Lindsey Moran; and many great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Mildred (Robert) Weber of Fall City, NE and brother William (Joan) Reddie of Pahrump, NV.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, six sisters, first wife Winifred and two infant sons.
Funeral services will take place Thursday, January 29 at 10:30 am at First Presbyterian Church with burial in the Alliance Cemetery with Reverend Mickey Blair officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Wednesday, January 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Memorials may be given to the Presbyterian Church, Native American Scholarship Fund through the Presbyterian Church or donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.