John B. Knowles

John B. Knowles was born on November 4, 1932, in Hibbing, Minnesota the son of Christopher and Ruth (Bang) Knowles. He graduated from Hibbing High School in 1951 and furthered his education at the U of M Duluth where he received his Business Administration Degree, and transferred to Moorhead State where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He received his Master’s Degree from NDSU. John served his country in the United States Army enlisting in 1953 and was a part of the 82nd Airborne. He was honorably discharged in 1955. John was united in marriage to Annetta Grosz on June 22, 1957 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead. To this union two children were born. John started his career as an insurance salesman for Warner Insurance in Fargo. He then went into Education as a History teacher from 1959-1963 in Morris. He also coached football, wrestling, and track. The next year he became Principal in Morgan, Minnesota where he was a counselor and Athletic Director. In 1966, he was Principal at the Junior and Senior High in Elbow Lake and then made his way to Alexandria where he was Vice Principal at Jefferson and after nine years became Principal until his retirement. He enjoyed watching the Vikings, hunting, and his fishing trips with his buddies. He was a member of the Lions Club. John died on Monday, May 4, 2015. He is survived by his wife, Annetta; son, Scott (Denise) of Hermantown, MN; daughter, Dawn (Mike) Raguse of Lester Prairie; five grandchildren: Tom, Sam, Paul, Sarah, Jacob; one great grandson, Zander; brother, Richard (Carol) of Shell Lake, WI; four brother-in-laws: Bill (MaryAnn) Grosz, David (Paula) Grosz, Ted (Connie) Grosz, Paul Grosz; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Elaine Fricke; sister-in-law, Delores Knowles. Funeral services were held on Thursday, May 7, 2015, 1:00 PM at Living Word Church in Alexandria. Burial was at Kinkead Cemetery. Military Honors were by American Legion Post #87, VFW Post #936, VVA Post 235 and the Minnesota National Honor Guard. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home. www.andersonfuneral.net

John B. Knowles

November 4, 1932 - May 4, 2015