Delores Knight

Delores Knight, age 73, of Decorah, IA, died on Sunday, January 22, 2017, at her home. Memorial Mass will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 26, 2017 at St. Benedict Catholic Church 307 West Main Street, Decorah, IA. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Schluter Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue, Decorah, IA, and also after 10:00 a.m., on Thursday at the church. There will be a rosary at 4:00 p.m., on Wednesday at the funeral home.      Delores Marie Kula Knight was born on August 24, 1943, the daughter of Thomas and Mabel (Ricklefs) Kula in Anamosa, IA. Delores graduated from Anamosa High School in 1962. She was united in marriage to Keith Knight on May 12, 1962, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Anamosa. Delores was a stay at home mother, while her children were young. When they lived in Cedar Rapids, Delores worked for Midwest Janitorial as a secretary. In 1971, the family moved to Decorah and operated Knight Distributing, where she worked alongside Keith, until they sold their business in 1991. In 1992, Delores opened the Party Connection in downtown Decorah and operated it for fifteen years. Later, she answered phones and scheduled appointments at Eclips Salon and set up breakfasts at the Hotel Winneshiek. Delores enjoyed playing cards, golfing, gardening, doing arts and crafts and volunteering at St. Benedict Catholic School. Delores loved time spent at the cabin at Eagle Lake, MN, and most of all loved and cherished her family. She was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church.      Delores is survived by her husband: Keith Knight, Decorah, IA.  Four children: Calleen Friedrichs (Todd Christen), Eden Prairie, MN, Mary (Jim) Hengen, Chanhassen, MN, Greg Knight (Vicki Friedrichs), Corcoran, MN, and Ann (Ben) Nelson, Williston, ND. Nine grandchildren: Megan and Erin Friedrichs, Zac and Lilah Merie, Heather and Adam Hengen, Sam Alghamdi, Madison and Carter Nelson. One sister: Dorothy Kula, Anamosa, IA. One brother: Don (Barb) Kula, Dubuque, IA. Keith’s siblings and spouses: JoAn Herren, Calverton, MD, Barbara (Kermit) Johnson, Solon, IA, Keeran (Garlene) Knight, Cedar Rapids, IA, Phyllis (Pat) Carey, Milwaukee, WI, Ivan Opperman, Monticello, IA, along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.      Delores was preceded in death by her parents: Thomas and Mabel (Ricklefs) Kula. Sister-in-law: RoseAnn Opperman. Niece: Lori Kula. Her father-in-law and mother-in-law: Victor and Edna (Kehoe) Knight.