Norman Lloyd Knaack
Born: June 16, 1927; in Greenwood Township, McHenry County, IL
Died: March 21, 2015; in Palm Harbor, FL.
Norman L. Knaack, 87, of Clearwater, passed away with two sons and a step daughter at his side on Saturday, March 21, 2015, at Suncoast Hospice North Pinellas Care Center, Palm Harbor, Fl.
Norm was born to George and Laura ( Hacker ) Knaack on June 16, 1927 in Greenwood Township, McHenry County, IL. He graduated from the McHenry High School in 1945. Norm played basketball, football, and Golf, w/ golf team finishing 2nd in state, and was inducted into McHenry High School Hall of Fame w/ others on golf team. Upon granduation, he joined the Navy.
Upon leaving the Navy, Norm was a life long employee of Illinois Bell Telephone ( Ma Bell ), working well over 40 years.
In 1972, he married his wife of 42 years, Alice (Clarkens) Knaack , and lived in Crystal Lake, IL.
Norm loved to play golf, a member of McHenry Country Club early on, then played at Pistakee Golf Course, and then a member of Crystal Woods ( Bit-O-Heather ) Golf Club. Norm and Alice both played golf. They became snow birds to the Largo, Florida area, moving to Palm Hill Country Club in Largo, Florida in 2000. He was also an avid Cubs and Bears fan.
Norm is survived by daughter, Catherine Corbett ( Andis Rutkis) of Mundelein, IL; three sons: Kurt M. ( Lyn ) of McHenry, IL, Tom of Lindenhurst, IL, and Joe (Michelle) Knaack of McHenry, IL. Two step daughters Connie Bonner of Clearwater, FL and Donna K. ( Dirk ) Howell of McHenry, IL. Nine grandchildren: Justine ( Anis Habib ), George Vogt, Steve Knaack, Daneille ( Geoff ) Matson, Josh Knaack, Elloit and Mackenzie Knaack, Jessica (Nicholas, Sr. ) Turk, and Scott Strudeman. Great Grandchildren, Trinity and Camryn Knaack, Seth Testa and Shane Matson, Nicholas, Jr. and Nolan Turk, and Zachery Strudeman, and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.
Norm was preceded in death by, his wife, Alice, in April of 2014 (please sign the guestbook on this website), his parents George and Laura (Hacker) Knaack, and four sisters: Dorothy (Eric) Carlquist, Alice Stock (George), Irma ( Pat ) Meyer, and Gwendolyn (Tim ) Wheelock.
A special thanks to Connie Bonner for all the help to Norm and Alice in the past years, may they rest in peace.
Connie, Thank you so much for sharing this with us. This has indeed been a very difficult year and a half for you. How blessed your mom and step-father were to have you by their side. May you feel God’s love surrounding you. Connie Schmucker on behalf of myself and Bishop Schaefer and staff.
Connie you have been a blessing to both your Mom and stepfather. Let us know if there is anything we can do for you and Donna, we are only a phone call away. I miss your Mom and all her stories of you girls.
God Bless,
Sam & Fran