Monika M. Knowles

Monika Mary (Box) Knowles, 60, of Topeka, passed away December 8, 2010, at the Colmery-O'Neil Veterans Hospital in Topeka, KS, due to complications from cancer. She was born on July 9, 1950, in Stuttgart, Germany, the daughter of the late Gudrun S. Box and Bill and Faye Box. Monika was a graduate of North Shore High School in Houston, TX. On May 31, 1980, at the First Baptist Church in Galena Park, TX, Monika married Roylee Knowles. He survives.

Monika was a United States Navy veteran, serving her country for many years until receiving a medical discharge. She had lived numerous places including Stuttgart, Germany, Texas, California, Kentucky, and Kansas. Monika had many hobbies including, singing, cooking, and anything that had to do with Elvis. She was a multi-year winner of VA Talent Contests and had sung at the White House three times in front of the incumbent President. Her biggest achievements in life were her two wonderful children and a grandson. She very much enjoyed performing Pooh Bear and Christopher Robin songs or skits for the children.

Monika is survived by her husband, Roylee Knowles, of the home; children, Kenneth Knowles and Alicia Dose, of Concordia, KS, and Daniel and Tiffany Knowles, of Topeka, KS; grandchild, Marley Joe Knowles; parents, Bill and Faye Box, of Houston, TX; siblings, Donald and Margaret Box, of Houston , TX, Karen and Steve Sicard, of New Hampshire, Susan and Mike Stamper, of Dallas, TX, Valerie and Charlie Freeman, of Houston, TX, Mike and Andrea McCasland, of Houston, TX, and David and Tina McCasland, of Houston, TX.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Gudrun S. Box.

Memorial services are scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 11, 2010, at Grace United Methodist Church, 2627 SW Western, Topeka, KS, and also at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2010, at Bayou Vista, TX. Memorial contributions may be made online to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org/involved/donate) or the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org).