Left Hand Valley Courier - All Local, All The Time

August 29, 1928 – December 24, 2018

Richard Alan “Dick” Knaus, 90, passed away December 24, 2018 at Longs Peak Hospital after celebrating a traditional Christmas Eve holiday with his family.

Dick was born on August 29, 1928 on the family farm near Niwot, Colorado to Dan and Lillian (Wederquist) Knaus. He devoted his life to working the family farm. He was a descendent of the Clemens Knaus family, who were one of the first settlers in the Left Hand area in 1860.

Dick graduated from Longmont High School in 1946 and attended Colorado A&M for two years. On February 18, 1951 he married Gladys June Loose.

Dick and his brothers, Kenneth and Gordon continued farming and ranching the homestead until the sale of the land in 1981. At that time, he moved to Holyoke, CO where he continued farming until 1990 when he retired. After retiring, Dick and Gladys moved back to Longmont.

As a young man he enjoyed running track in high school, cross country in college, and playing fast pitch softball at Roosevelt Park. After retirement he and Gladys took up golf and liked to walk at Golden Ponds. They were members of the Supper Club consisting of six couples that played pinochle and enjoyed each other’s company over the past 66 years. His family will remember him for his honesty, integrity, work ethic, devotion, humor, teasing twinkly eyes, love of ice cream, and kind heart.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Kenneth, Dallas and Gordon Knaus; sisters Muriel Miller, Marian Berryman, Shirley Kenyon and grandson Jay Knaus.

He is survived by his wife Gladys; 5 children Paula Anderson (Randy), Julie Steele (Randy Williams), Mike Knaus (Sue), Melinda Helgeland (Bob) and Marci Knaus-Roemer (Mark); his sister Roberta Olp (Robert); 19 grandchildren Kelly Lindner (Peter), Craig Anderson, Seth Steele (Kirsten Larsen), Alison Steele, Emily Dunn (Jeff), Sara Wolleson (Brandon), Gale Williams (Jacque), Justin Williams, Carrie Rubino (Nick), Kirk Knaus, Julie Knaus, Kris McGee (Terrence), Kaitlin Lyon (Jeff), Ryan Helgeland, Alec Helgeland, Melissa Jones, Brittny Rogers (Jeremy), Mitchell Jones and Mollie Gunter (Brandon) ; 11 great-grandchildren: Petra, Hannah, Eli, Zachary, Nicholas, Liam, Nora, Eloise, Mac, Bo and Ty and 3 more great-grandchildren expected any day.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30am Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. Interment will be held with the family at a later date at Burlington Pioneer Cemetery. Visit http://www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences. In remembrance of Richard, please pass on kindness to your family and friends.