Lilac Elaine Knox, 84

Lilac Elaine Knox, 84, “Grandma Knox,” passed Jan. 3 of the New Year, 2016. Present with her were sons, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and friends.

Grandma was born in Hurley, South Dakota, on a farm shared with four brothers and a sister. While in her 20s, she moved to Thermopolis, Wyoming, where she married the love of her life, “Grandpa” Jack Foster Knox in November of 1959.

Together they ran the Washakie plunge, a natural hot spring swimming pool in that town. They retired to Whitefish in 1976, but quickly grew restless. They found employment for several years with Norwest Bank, and eventually settled at Bissell School as custodians. They loved taking care of the school, and found great enjoyment mingling with the teachers and students.

Lilac was a pianist for the Stillwater Free Lutheran Church choir for several years, as well as a big part of the quilters group.

Lilac was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Knox; parents, Alfred and Tena (Larsen) Sorensen; brothers, Lorell, Lowell, Glenmore and Carroll; and grandson, Thomas Jack “T.J.” Gutherie.

Lilac is survived by sons, Owen of Wyoming, and Marty of Whitefish; daughters, Bonnie of Utah, and Nancy of Washington; a sister, Adele Ackerman, of South Dakota; 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild.

A memorial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Stillwater Free Lutheran Church with a luncheon to follow.

To send a note of condolence to the family, please go to www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.