Carol Knoblauch, age 81, entered into eternal life peacefully, surrounded by family, in her rural home in Norwalk, Iowa, on September 6th, 2026. Services will be held at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Norwalk, IA. Visitation on Friday, September 18, from 5 to 7 p.m., with a funeral mass on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 11:00 a.m. Interment of cremains will be in St. Rose Catholic Cemetery in Cheney, Kansas, at a later date.

She was a dearly beloved wife of David Knoblauch; a dedicated mother to Rick Knoblauch, Debbie (Fran) Kelly, Shari (Robert) Peterson; and grandmother to Francis Kelly IV, Elton Peterson, Matthew Kelly, Jonathan Kelly, and Luke Peterson.

Carol was steadfast in her faith and trust in Christ, a devoted daughter, friend, and disciple of Jesus, whose life reflected a deep and abiding Catholic faith. She embraced life with joy, spirit, generosity, service, and a commitment to making a difference that touched everyone she met and leaves a legacy that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Carol was born on September 29th, 1944, to Tony and Edna Charvat of Garden Plain, Kansas. She started dating Dave at the beginning of her junior year in high school. Carol graduated from Garden Plain High School in 1962 and Kansas School of Cosmetology. Carol worked as a beautician for ten years. She married the love of her life on 9/28/63 (62 years) and joined a very large extended family of 24 in-laws, 75 nieces and nephews, and many, many great-nieces and -nephews.

In 1973, she and Dave moved to Norwalk, Iowa, to start a retail business selling sewing machines and vacuum cleaners in Des Moines, Fort Dodge, and Jefferson, Iowa. When the kids were in school, she went to the retail store; she was the receptionist/secretary, bookkeeper, office manager, then into sales, then the Vice President and was very good at all. After Dave retired, Carol became President. Together they enjoyed going to sales conventions and traveling all over the U.S., and exploring many different countries.

Carol was a dedicated patron of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church. She became a Eucharistic Minister and took communion to 4 different nursing homes as well as several homebound Catholics. She served as choir director and song leader for over 30 years. She helped with the St John’s Connection Café by shopping for groceries, preparing meals, and feeding 120+ homeless people in Des Moines, and was known as the “Cabbage Queen”. Carol was very involved with the Altar & Rosary Society, headed up their biggest fundraiser, the “Craft Auction”, and built the rosary/prayer garden at St John’s. For many years she also volunteered for Hospice and taught 2nd grade PREP.

In her free time, Carol loved to sew, make anything crafty, and garden. She took care of 2 large flower gardens at church plus 6 flower gardens at home. She also loved water skiing, motorcycling and flying; Dave even taught her how to take off and land an airplane.

Carol is survived by her husband Dave, sister Jeanette Kerschen, and in-laws Eileen Dudney, James Knoblauch, Betty Burback, and Jeanette Becker, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Antony (Tony) and Edna Charvat, and Brother Donald Charvat.

Memorial contributions can be made in Carol’s memory to St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, or to St. John’s Altar & Rosary Society https://www.osvhub.com/stjohnsnorwalk/giving/funds Please note which one.