Janice Nadine Knoll

Janice was born November 7, 1929, in Burlington, Iowa to Merritt and Gladys Korf.  She died June 21, 2017 surrounded by family members.

Janice and Richard were married for 65 years and had eight children.  Survivors are 5 of her children, Sherri Ann Hellums, Deborah Knoll-Ewers, Carla (Tina) Bass, Richard (Erich) Knoll and Patrice Schmitt and their spouse’s, Roger Helllums, Scott Ewers, Robert Bass, & Gerry Schmitt.  She is also survived by 14 grand children, Christopher, Nicholas Hellums, & Shannon Ruiz, Justin Ewers, Jeremy & Jason Tercey, Erica Bass Miller, Caleb, Addison & Cameron Scmitt, Tim Fisher, Alaina, Olivia & Joey Knoll & their spouse’s, Holly Hellums, Andre’ Ruiz, Alyssa Ewers, Becky Tercey and 6 great grand children, Aaron, Nathan & Quinten Ruiz, Brendon & Breanna Hellums & Elisha Jane Tercey and spouse Jessica Ruiz.

She is also survived by her sisters, Doris June Schulte, Merideth Holsteen, Diane Patterson & brother Eddie Korf, and their spouse’s Leo Schulte, Dan Holsteen, Tony Patterson, Joyce Korf and nieces and nephews.

Janice joins her beloved husband Richard Knoll who passed on October 19, 2015.  Her children, Kirsten, David & Michael Knoll and her parents Merritt & Gladys Korf and sister Helen Johnston.

Janice was the oldest out of six children.  They lived in Mediapolis, Iowa, where Jancie graduated from Mediapolis High School.  She played basketball all though High School, and was envolved in many clubs.  She was voted Homecoming Queen one year.  She received a teaching degree from Burlington Junior College in  Burlington, Iowa and taught first grade in Bel Plaine, Iowa.

Janice and Richard fell in love and married on April 14, 1950 and had eight children.  Janice always found time to volunteer for the voting booths, her children’s schools and at their church. After their children were grown and left home.  Janice enjoyed playing bridge and belonged to a Bridge Club, Book Club, U.M.K.C.Women’s Club, and The Conservatory of Music Club, where some cases she served as president. Janice and Richard spent many weekends at the Lake of the Ozarks on their house boat with family. Friends were always welcome.

The Knolls lived a very colorful life traveling through various parts of the United States.  They loved fishing for Northern Pike in their fishing boat, on the Canadian Lakes.  They  lived in Pusan Korea for two years, Janice taught English Conversation at Pusan University.  Richard was a Professor at the University of Pusan and sang all over the country.  They also traveled to China where Richard performed before Kings and Queens in the Orient.

Janice & Richard were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and had lived in nursing and memory care homes the later part of their lives.  Special thanks and appreciation to their daughter Carla (Tina) Bass for caring for them and to all family members who helped our parents as well.  And thanks to those who helped our parents at The Garden Terrace.

Janice was an amazing women, smart, strong and had the patience of Job.  She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  Janice had a beautiful personality, and she was always so caring and loving to everyone.  She will be missed by all. 

In celebration of Jancie Knoll’s life, a memorial service will be held on Friday, August 11th at 1:30 PM at the Heartland Cremation & Burial Society, at

6113 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, MO 64133.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the family or can be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association in Janice Knoll’s name.