Ethel June Knackstedt, 91, of Hutchinson, Kansas, and former Russell, Kansas resident, died on Friday, January 31, 2025, at the Wesley Towers Residential Care Center in Hutchinson, Kansas.
June was born on July 06, 1933, in Russell, Kansas, the daughter of Harry A. and Lydia I. (Bennett) Price. She grew up in Russell and attended Russell public schools. She had 6 sisters and 1 brother and had to quit school to get a job and help provide for her family. She worked 48 hours a week at Russell Steam Laundry making 40 cents an hour and gave $5.00 a week from her wages to help put food on the table. She worked at the laundry from 1949 to 1954 and over the years she saved enough money to buy a bicycle and clothes for herself. She met Boyd A. Knackstedt while cruising around Russell one night with her sister in her 1947 Chevy Coupe. June said, “it was the first day for the rest of my life”. It was love at first sight and June and Boyd were united in marriage on June 26, 1954, at the Otterbein United Methodist Church in Russell. From this union June and Boyd were blessed with 4 children Boyd, Nancy, Dennis and Barbara and 2 adopted boys James and Robert Oliva. She worked in housekeeping for the Russell Regional Hospital for 12 years. She was a longtime member of Otterbein United Methodist Church. She was also a Den Mother for Troop #106 and an Assistant Girl Scout Leader. She enjoyed reading, camping, fishing, and counted cross stitch. Most importantly, she loved spending time with her family and grandchildren. She said, “having grandchildren and great grandchildren was the best thing to ever happen to us”.
She is survived by son Boyd W. “Buddy” Knackstedt of Russell, daughter Nancy J. Woodyard (Wayne) of Hutchinson, Kansas, son Dennis R. Knackstedt (Beth) of Golden, Missouri, daughter Barbara A. Volle of Axtell, Kansas; nephew James H. Oliva of Topeka, Kansas; grandchildren Gregory, Elsabeth, Anna, Darcey, Bridgett, Brett & Bradford; great grandchildren Jovie, Jhett, Jagson. James, Ruby, Lydia and Myles.
June was preceded in death by her parents, husband Boyd, 6 sisters and 1brother; nephew Bob Oliva; grandson Matthew Oliva and son in-law Mark Volle.
A celebration of June’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, February 05, 2025, at the Otterbein Global Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery in Russell. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 7 P.M. on Tuesday, February 04, 2025, at the mortuary with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Tuesday evening at the mortuary.
Memorials may be given to Russell Food Pantry and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.