Margaret Ann Knehans

Margaret Ann Knehans, 78, of Topeka, KS, passed away on Tues., Jan. 18, 2011 at her residence. She was born July 14, 1932 in Oklahoma City, OK, the daughter of Evert LeRoy and Marie (Ehart) Fry.

She attended Central State University, graduating in May 1953 with a B.S. in Elementary Education. Margaret began teaching in Topeka in Sept. of 1953 and taught at Potwin Elementary School for two years.

She then moved to Mt. Clemens, Michigan to teach where she met her husband, Ralph Knehans who was in the Air Force stationed there. They were married on Feb. 18, 1956. Ralph continued his 21 year service career and they were stationed in many states and in the Azores Island and Okinawa, Japan before retirement in 1971 and they returned to Topeka, where he was previously stationed. Margaret taught school for 37 years and retired in 1997 from Quinton Heights Elementary.

She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Topeka, KS where she was a Sunday school teacher and served on the board of education. She volunteered at Stormont-Vail Hospital, I Care Food Bank and The Topeka Shawnee County Library.

Survivors include her husband Ralph, a son Peter Knebans and wife, Cindy, two daughters; Sherry Knehans, Maggie Belk and husband, Stephen, and three grandsons. She was preceded in death by her son, Michael Knehans in 1993.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Hope Lutheran Church. Margaret will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. today at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel. Burial will be at Red Cloud, Nebraska, where Ralph spent his childhood. Memorial contributions may be given to Hope Lutheran Church, 2636 SE Minnesota Ave., Topeka, KS 66605.