Helen Knoll

Helen P. Knoll, aged 95, passed away in her Aurora, CO home July 4, 2020 in the presence of her children. Over her lifetime, Helen inspired many by her strength, courage and fortitude.

Born in Towner, North Dakota in 1925, she was one of 8 children. Helen had many stories of life on a farm, of getting through the Depression, of her parents Lawrence and Clara Haman with their German heritage, of the cold winters, sleigh rides, working as a switchboard operator and much more. She was a lifelong Catholic

After high school, Helen went to the Teacher’s College of Minot. Upon graduation in 1949, she took her first teaching position on at an American School in Quito, Ecuador!  Ecuador was a very different cultural experience from the farmlands of North Dakota. In Quito, Helen was introduced through mutual friends to Dallas Knoll, a West Point graduate, who was on his first assignment at the end of World War II. Helen and Dallas were married in Quito in 1950 and  honeymooned in Mexico. They returned to Quito and together they explored other parts of Ecuador and traveled to Peru and Columbia. Their life and travels in Central and South America were reflected in the pictures, rugs, painting, sculptures and having Spanish spoken in our lives. Their children often heard of their adventures during this time period. These years were a major highlight of their life together.

In 1951, when Helen was pregnant with their first child, she left the high altitude of Quito for the Panama Canal Zone where Cathy (Catherine Milburn) was born. In 1952, Helen was diagnosed with polio and spent a year at Valley Forge Hospital in Pennsylvania. With the courage and the support of her husband, Helen entered the next phase of her life which included the inability to walk and the need to use a wheelchair.

In spite of these challenges and a young baby, Helen and Dallas moved to West Point, NY where Nancy Knoll was born in 1955.  Subsequent tours of duty had the family living in Panama, Chile, Texas and back to West Point. Barbara Lobdell was born in Panama and Dallas L. Knoll, III was born in Chile. When possible, Helen continued to teach in different schools. After a final tour of duty, at West Point, the family moved to Aurora, Colorado.

In Aurora, Helen worked from home for the American Red Cross for many years. In addition to caring for her family and home, Helen was an avid bridge player and for many years played weekly bridge with groups of friends. Helen also loved flowers and gardening. Her yard was always a yard of beauty. Dallas Knoll passed away in 1991. Helen remained in her home in Aurora until her death. She was assisted in her home for many years by Larry Simpson and her children.

Helen will be missed by her children and the many others she touched with her life.  Her amazing strength, drive, courage and perseverance was readily apparent to all and surely contributed to her living until the age of 95. In the days to come we will remember what an incredible person and mother she was to us all.