Service Information
Ronald “Ron” H. Knop, age 77, of Glencoe, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Glencoe Regional Health in Glencoe.
Memorial Service will be held Monday, December 23, 2024, 11:30 A.M., at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe, with interment following in the First Lutheran Cemetery in Glencoe.
Gathering of Family & Friends will be held Monday, December 23, 2024, from 9:30 -11:30 A.M., two hours prior to the service ALL at the church.
Military Honors held by Glencoe Military Honor Guard.
Obituary
Ronald Harvey Knop was born on July 5, 1947, in Glencoe, Minnesota. He was the son of Harvey and Evelyn (Kunkel) Knop. Ronald was baptized as an infant on July 20, 1947, by Pastor Alfred Streufert and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth on March 26, 1961, by Pastor A.H. Fellwock both at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe. He received his education in Glencoe, Minnesota, and graduated with the Glencoe High School class of 1965.
On April 4, 1966, Ronald entered active military service and served with the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He held the rank of Seargent E-5. Ronald was awarded the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVNCM). He received an Honorable Discharge on November 28, 1969.
On August 20, 1966, Ronald was united in marriage to Constance “Connie” Huebert at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton, Minnesota, by Pastor R. Koepp. The union was blessed with 2 children, Steve and Shari. They shared just over 19 years together when Connie passed away on December 21, 1985. On May 12, 2006, Ronald was united in marriage to Sharon (Olsen) Wulkan by Pastor Randy Freund at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota. After their marriage, the couple made their home in Glencoe. Ronald and Sharon shared over 18 years of marriage.
Ronald was a long-time employee at Glencoe Light & Power in Glencoe as a lineman. He worked there for over 40 years and retired in January of 2010. Ronald was an active member of the Glencoe VFW, serving as the Commander as well as the Quartermaster for a number of terms. He was a longtime member of the Glencoe Sportsmen’s Club and served as a Board Member for the Lake Augusta Lake Association in South Haven, Minnesota for a number of years. Ronald was also employed as a part-time cop for the Glencoe Police Department as well.
Ronald loved to ride motorcycle. He rode a Honda Gold Wing and was a proud member of the Minnesota Wings Motorcycle Club. Ronald and Sharon loved to travel whenever given the opportunity. He loved driving the pontoon when visiting their lake home on Lake Augusta. Ronald cherished time spent with family and friends, and especially “loved to tease” with his family and make them laugh.
Ronald passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Glencoe Regional Health in Glencoe, at the age of 77 years.
Blessed be his memory.
Ronald is survived by his:
Wife, Sharon Knop of Glencoe, MN;
Children, Steve Knop and his wife, Miranda of Maple Grove, MN, Shari Knop of Minneapolis, MN;
Step Children, Michelle Saeger and her husband, Matt of Glencoe, MN, John Wulkan and his wife, Kristy of Minneapolis, MN, James Wulkan and his partner, Stacy Berger of Minneapolis, MN;
Grandchildren, Jon Knop and Jake Knop;
Step Grandchildren, Jack Saeger, Ansel Wulkan, Soren Wulkan;
Sister, Karen Vogt of Glencoe, MN;
Brother, Dennis Gens of Minnetonka, MN;
Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law, Gene Olsen and his wife, Marlene of Hutchinson, MN, Carol Graupmann and her husband, Gerry of Brownton, MN, David Huebert and his wife, Mary of Brownton, MN, Kay Schwartz and her husband, Mel of Darwin, MN;
Nieces, Nephews, Other Relatives, and Many Friends.
Ronald was preceded in death by his Parents, Harvey and Evelyn Knop; First Wife, Constance Knop; and Brother-in-law, Gary Vogt.
Garth Albers says
Ron was a really good person
Earl Dammann says
Ron & I were employees with “Glencoe Light & Power. Ron was my “My Right Hand Man” Having a person like
Ron made my job worry free, knowing he was Able & Willing to take control.
RON, WE MISS YOU & THANKS FOR BEING MY RIGHT-HAND.
YOU ARE NOW IN HEAVEN – SOMEDAY I WILL “CONNECT WITH YOU“???
Shari says
I remember my dad to the light plant alot. I enjoyed his light plant family and as a little girl it was such a fun adventure
Earl Dammann says
Shari. Sorry I missed you at service. Rest assured DAD in NOW in good hands
AGAIN WAS AN HONOR HAVING RON ON MY CREW
Angela Bolt says
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing Shari. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Shari knop says
Thank you Angie
Kathy Schuetz says
I was shocked and saddened to see Ron’s name on the funeral board. My deepest condolences to the Knop family.
Shari says
Thank you
Sue Stradtmann says
I am so very sorry for your loss. He was always so kind when I served him at the VFW. he always made sure to say hi whenever I saw him anywhere else. The family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Karla Ardolf says
Sharon, Steve and Shari-
My thoughts and prayers go out to you this holiday season. Never easy to lose someone you love so much, but especially difficult this time of year. I know he had some recent struggles, and is now at pain free and at peace. Ron was a good man and will be missed by many! May peace be with you all in the days ahead…
Shari says
Thank you
Angela DeMars (Smoldt) says
Shari – I was caught off guard when I saw your dad’s name on the funeral board. I found myself remembering, smiling, and tearing up ~ thinking of the times we spent together at your home growing up. He was one of the “GREAT” ones! I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your whole family! HUGS!!
Elmer Oltmann says
Ron and I went all the way through school together K-12 and always considered him my friend. I recall staying at the farm when we were in grade school and bombing around in Harvey’s ’57 Chevy in High School, always a good time. We met up several times over the years, even for lunch when he was in Dayton for his Air Force reunion.
Sad to hear of his passing and will miss him.
Ronald Laabs says
I am truly sorry I was unable to attend the memorially service for Ron. He was a very good friend. We enjoyed a lot of miles traveling together on the motorcycle. The last trip we took together was to the Grand Canyon. I truly enjoyed Ron and Sharon’s company on that trip. He will be missed, My prayers and thoughts are with his family.