Lula May "Lu" Knote, 92, formerly of South Whitley, died peacefully at 2:55 p.m. Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester, where she had been a resident since September of 2014.

She was born May 20, 1929, in Bracken, Indiana, a daughter of the late George E. and Morford (Blanche) Rupley. Growing up in Warren Twp., Huntington County, she graduated from Bippus High School. She later earned a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

On December 9, 1949, she married Jack H. Knote. They made their home in rural South Whitley. Jack died on August 16, 1997.

In addition to helping on the farm, from 1964 to 1972, she worked for Magnavox, Fort Wayne.

Entering the healthcare field, she worked for Miller's Merry Manor, Extended Care, Peabody Home, Community Care, and Victory Noll in Huntington.

Musically talented, she played steel guitar and piano by ear and also played the clarinet. With a beautiful singing voice, she belonged to the church choir and continued participating in the choir at Peabody. In the early 1960's she was a Girl Scout leader.

Surviving are her children, Ivan J (Mary Jo) Knote of South Whitley, Earl J (Cheryl) Knote of Wooster, OH, Lou Ann (Michael) Garwood of Larwill, Lee Ann (Robert) Snyder, and Ernest J (Linda) Knote of both of South Whitley, 14 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren and a sister Joan (John) Shepherd of Huntington.

The funeral service is 3 p.m. Sunday at St John Lutheran Church, 2465 W Keiser Rd, Columbia City. Burial is at St. Peter Cemetery. Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley, and one hour before the service Sunday at St John Lutheran.

Preferred memorials are to St. John Lutheran Church.