Margaret Knesek

Margaret (Havemann) Knesek, loving and devoted Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Aunt, and Friend, passed away peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus on November 6, 2019 at the age of 94. Margaret was born to Frank Havemann and Margaret (Koehler) Havemann on September 25, 1925 in the Prairie Dale Community in Burleson County, Texas. She was baptized and confirmed in the Salem Church at Birch. Margaret attended Prairie Dale School for eight years. While not in school, she spent countless hours working in the fields and on the farm with her father.

Margaret met the love of her life, Louis Knesek, at Deanville Hall on the 4th of July, and married him on January 27, 1945 in Caldwell. They were blessed with the birth of their first child, Melvin Lee, in 1945, and their second child, Ronney Louis, in 1954. Margaret and Louis made their home in Frenstat, where they raised their family, and farmed and ranched together. Although they worked very hard, they always made time to do fun things together as a family, especially fishing. In later years, Margaret went to work at Bennie F. Sebesta Tax Service in Snook. The customers became her friends, and she looked forward to seeing them each tax season.

Margaret was a devoted Christian and active member of the Lyons Evangelical United Church of Christ. She spent many years teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, sang in the choir, and was a member of the Senior Group, where she enjoyed playing dominoes with her friends. Margaret had a love for the outdoors, and it seemed you could always find her in her garden, riding on the gator, or fishing. The winter months gave her time to enjoy another one of her loves, quilting. Several of her quilts were displayed at the Houston Livestock Show, through Go-Texan, and she gave many of them away to family members.

When grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along, she gained the special title of Nene. She shared her love for the outdoors with them, and they had many crazy adventures together. Family was her greatest joy! She was the happiest when cooking a big meal for them to enjoy around her kitchen table. Her poppyseed roll and dressing were her specialties and they would disappear quickly.

Everyone who knew Margaret was inspired by her great wisdom and knowledge, which she was always willing to share. Conversations at her table, and on her front porch, will truly be missed.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Louis Knesek; brothers, Alex, Roy, and Frankie Havemann; sisters, Ruby Jahns, Alma Mynar, Edna DeForke, and Ellanor Homeyer.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Melvin and Loretta Knesek of Sugar Land, Ronney and Linda Knesek of Frenstat; brother-in-law, Eugene Homeyer of LaGrange, brother-in-law, Gussie Knesek of Houston, brother-in-law and sister-in-law; Earnest & Grace Knesek of Bryan; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Rudy and Dorothy Sulak of Wharton, sister-in-law, Martha Bohacek of Houston; grandchildren, Jason and Erin Knesek, Kristie and Charles Cummings, Dustin and Brittney Knesek, Brett and Amy Knesek, Lindsay and Brad Siegert; great-grandchildren, Devin and Cooper Cummings, Luke and Emily Knesek, Hunter and Case Knesek, and Colt and Tate Knesek; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and church family.

The celebration of Margaret’s life will begin with visitation on Friday, November 8th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Strickland Funeral Home in Caldwell, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at Lyons Evangelical United Church of Christ on Saturday, November 9th at 2:00 p.m.

Pallbearers are Jerry Novosad, Jeremy Krueger, Allen Jahns, Tim Knesek, Rick Homeyer, and Ryan Hawkins. Graveside services will follow at Birch Cemetery, where Margaret will be laid to rest next to her husband, Louis.

The family requests memorials be sent to the Evangelical United Church of Christ Cemetery Fund.