Diane Knoot

Diane Knoot

Oskaloosa. Diane Knoot, 52, of Oskaloosa and formerly of Ames, died Saturday, January 8, 2011, at Northern Mahaska Nursing and Rehab. in Oskaloosa. She was born November 19, 1958, at Oskaloosa, the daughter of James H. and Frances Kosmach Knoot. She graduated from the North Mahaska High School, with the very close knit class of 1977. She furthered her education at Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, Missouri, graduating from there in 1982. Following graduation she went to work as a lab technician at the Ottumwa Hospital. In 1985 she moved to Ames and worked at Mary Greely Hospital for seven years. Lastly she worked at the Iowa Blood Bank Center; she retired from there in 1993 due to ill health. On December 26, 1993, she was united in marriage to Richard Axtell at Ames, they later divorced. In 1993, Diane was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. This was the beginning of her journal entitled “The Journey Not Chosen” documenting her 17 year battle with cancer. Diane fought her cancer with a positive attitude, a spirit of a fighter, and the care of great doctors, a battle she won for over 17 years. In her years of fighting, she inspired many, battling cancer, to stay positive and fight the good fight. Diane grew up in the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa. She was a member of the Cornerstone Church in Ames. She was also a member of the Jaycees and P.E.O. in Ames. She enjoyed golfing, traveling, playing bridge, and Bible study.

Her family includes her mother, Frances Knoot of Oskaloosa; a sister and her husband: Sheryl and Earl Bogard of Jonesborough, Tennessee; a brother and his wife: Ron and Carol Knoot of Rose Hill; five nieces: Melissa (& James) Koppel, Michelle (& Travis) Ketron, Amanda (& Brett) Doud, Allison (& Joel) Stout, and Amber Knoot; a nephew: Alex Knoot; and many aunts uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Funeral services for Diane Knoot will be held Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at 11 a.m. in the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa, with Reverend Michael Omundson and Reverend Andrea Brownlee Officiating. As was her wish her body will be cremated following the funeral ceremony. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Monday after 12 noon in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5 –8 Monday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Mahaska Hospice or The First Christian Church Building Fund.

Source: Bates Funeral Chapel