Ruby Elaine (Jackson) Knope, 96 of LaCrosse, IN, passed away peacefully, March 15, 2025. She has been a resident of the LaCrosse area for the past 78 years. She was born on September 4, 1928, in Kouts, IN. The daughter of the late Ora Walter “Buck” Jackson and Effie Brummitt (Williams) Jackson. Ruby was a 1946 graduate of Kouts High School; she graduated with honors and was a cheerleader and the female athlete of 1945 and 1946.
On September 27, 1947, Ruby married Harold E. Knope, at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in LaCrosse, IN. He preceded her in death on December 21, 2017, after 70 years of marriage. After raising their two sons on a farm west of LaCrosse and their sons having joined the Marines and Navy/Army after high school, Ruby decided to work outside of the home. She worked as an office manager bookkeeper for Reese Business Insurance and The Regional News for sixteen years. She then moved on to employment with the First Citizens Bank, (Horizon). She obtained the position of Bank Secretary and Teller, and she was also a Notary. She retired from the bank in 1989. She was very proud that her and Harold were a 5-generation couple. They had 3 great great-grandkids before the Good Lord called Harold home and now, she has 4 great great-grandkids.
She loved to garden with flowers and vegetables. She was also very good at cooking, baking and preserving the produce from her garden. She and Harold also did some traveling, they made it to Europe in the late 1960’s and to Asia in the late 1970’s. They also loved to travel in the fall to see the colors. She was an avid sports fan, mainly pro basketball.
Daily prayer was her strength and guide in life. She was preceded in death by her son, Kenneth W. Knope; grandson, Timothy R. Knope; sister, Betty (Jackson) Jones; 2 brothers, Duane and Ralph Jackson; and daughter-in-law, Yoshiko Knope. She is survived by her son, James Knope; grandkids: Alice (Tony) Martin, Jeff Knope, Steve (Brandy) Knope; 4 great grandkids: Kelcey (Jordan) Clapp, Noah (Madeline) Martin, Jonah Martin, and Willow Knope; and 4 great great-grandkids: Emilia, Oliver, Hazel, and Ruby Clapp.
Viewing will be at Kosanke Funeral Home, 309 S. Main St., Kouts, IN, on Sunday, March 23, 2025, from 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Funeral service will be Monday, March 24, 2025, 11:00 A.M. at St John’s Lutheran Church, 301 N. Washington St., LaCrosse, IN, preceded by visitation 10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M., with Rev. Joel S. Zipay officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso. Memorials may be made to St John’s Lutheran Church in LaCrosse, IN.
GUESTBOOK
Dear Family, I send you my sincere sympathy in the passing of Ruby. I got to know her when Harold "Red" did our home roof and many repairs for us. She would often bring me fresh vegetables from her garden and wonderful baked goodies from her kitchen. I loved talking with her and your dad. What a wonderful lady and I know she will sure be remembered and missed by many of us. May your memories remain strong and guide you in your lives. -Sharon K Harris
