Clarence L. Knopik

Clarence L. Knopik, age 85 of Little Falls, MN passed away Friday, December 15, 2006, at his home in Little Falls, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, December 18, 2006 at 11:30 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls with the Rev. Nick Landsberger officiating. Interment will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls. Friends may call from 4:00-7:30 P.M. Sunday at the the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service (East Chapel) in Little Falls and Monday from 10:30-11:30 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls. Holy Name Society of Harding will say a rosary at 4:30 P.M. followed by Parish Prayers at 7:00 P.M. Sunday evening at the funeral chapel. Military Rites will be conducted by Little Falls V.F.W. Post #1112. Clarence L. Knopik was born December 17, 1920 in Little Falls, Morrison County, MN to the late Peter & Mary (Kuka) Knopik. He attended school in Platte Lake Township, MN. He was inducted into the United States Army on August 14, 1942, and began active duty on August 27, 1942 at Fort Snelling, MN. Clarence served during WWII in New Guinea and in the Philippines. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal and a Distinguished Unit Badge. He received an Honorable Discharge on November 25, 1945. He was united in marriage to Dolores "Dee" Schantz on September 20, 1954 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls. Following their marriage Clarence and Dee lived in Sobieski . In 1970, the couple and their family moved to Little Falls. Clarence was in the trucking business for 19 years with the Sobieski Creamery and managed the A.G. Service Division at Creameries Blending Inc. for 19 years. He plowed snow for Belle Prairie Township and continued doing so after his retirement in 1982. Following his retirement, Clarence was a seasonal worker for Creameries Blending and worked in the fall, potato harvesting. Clarence was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Belle Prairie where he served as trustee for many years, life member of Little Falls V.F.W. Post #1112 and the Little Falls Lions Club. He recently received the Melvin Jones Award, which is the highest award one can recieve from Lions International. Clarence enjoyed fishing, playing cards, reading, hunting and visiting with family and friends. Clarence is survived by his wife, Dolores "Dee"; sons & daughter, Dick Knopik & wife, Jeanne, of Little Falls, MN, Charles Knopik & wife, Charlotte, of Austin, MN and Mary Mason & husband, Scott, of Maple Grove, MN; grandchildren, Eric, Kevin, Sara & Kate Knopik; brothers, Leonard Knopik & wife, Lucille, of Baxter, MN, Leroy Knopik & wife, Marlene, of Sullivan Lake, MN, Helen Pulak of Harding, MN, Beverly Roscoe & husband, Norman, of St. Mathias, MN and sister-in-law, Agnes Knopik, of Little Falls, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Joseph; sister, Rita Tschida and a brother, Tom Knopik. Casket bearers are Eric, Kevin & Jim Knopik, Jim & Randy Pulak and Ronnie Roscoe. Honorary Pallbearers are Sara & Kate Knopik. Memorials preferred to Unity Family Hospice or donor's choice.