Roland Knoche

Knoche, Roland George MIDDLETON - Roland George Knoche, age 88, passed away Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006. Roland was born in Madison on Oct. 19, 1918, the son of George and Nancy (Wills) Knoche. He married Emily M. Zarndt on Oct. 1, 1939, in Middleton. Roland served in the 28th Infantry during World War II. He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for bravery. He operated Knoches Food Center with his family for 45 years, retiring in 1983. Roland belonged to St. Lukes Lutheran Church, Middleton. Roland served on the Middleton Park Board, the Volunteer Fire Department and Planning Commission. He was a member of the Civic Club, the Madison Elks Lodge No. 410, the Mendota Gridiron Club and Lake Wisconsin Country Club. Roland was past commander and a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Middleton Post No. 8216. Roland valued time with his family, including time spent with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an avid Badgers sports fan, holding season tickets for six decades. He enjoyed time spent in their Couderay, Wis. cottage, wintering in Florida. Roland is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Emily; his three children, Karen (Jacob) Stampen of Westport, Bonnie (Donald) Haugen of Oregon and Randy (Lisa) Knoche of Middleton; six grandchildren, Kristine (Robert) Burck, John (Pamela) Stampen, Kenneth Haugen, Yvonne (Louis) Holtz, DeAnn (Tom) Porter and Heidi Knoche; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy Kolb of Madison and Betty Soots of Phoenix, Ariz.; aunt, Katherine Johnson; sister-in-law, Sarah Knoche; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Gerald and Robert. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006, at ST. LUKES LUTHERAN CHURCH, 7337 Hubbard Ave., Middleton. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006, at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Ave., Middleton and also from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be in Sunset Memory Gardens. Those wishing to express sympathy with a memorial, may wish to consider Middleton Outreach Ministry or St. Lukes Lutheran Church. Gunderson West Funeral and Cremation Centers 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761 www.gundersonfh.com