Bernita (Knoll) Kinderknecht was born on May 5, 1929, in St. Peter, Kansas, the older of twins born to Carl and Mary (Denning) Knoll and died on June 17, 2017, in Hays, Kansas.

Bernita married Eugene Kinderknecht on November 19, 1951, in St. Peter, Kansas who preceded her in death on November 22, 1992. She is survived by six children, Eileen (Roger) Doherty, Denver; Linda (Duane) Stefan, Hays; Kenneth (Joyce) Kinderknecht, Collyer; Helen (Neal) Windholz, Gorham; Cynthia (Daniel) Cline, WaKeeney; and Pamela (Richard) Windholz, Hays. She was preceded in death by one son, Wayne, an infant daughter and son-in-law, John Cline.

She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Dwight Doherty, Eugene Doherty, Shewit Doherty, Jason (Jamie) Cline, Matthew (Jody) Cline, Shawn Stefan, Malea (Devin) Gilman, John Kinderknecht and Tony (Christy) Knouf. She is also survived by nine great-grandchildren: Jaydon Doherty, Liliana Doherty, Aden Cline, Aleigh Cline, Colin Cline, Chase Cline, Paige Gilman, Elaina Gilman and Khloe Knouf.

She is also survived by one sister, Marcella Whitman, Wichita, Kansas, one brother, Alvin Knoll, Highlands Ranch, Colorado and one sister-in-law, Frances Knoll. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Evelina Knoll and Olivia Dinges, and her twin brother, Thomas Knoll.

Bernita was a homemaker most of her life. She was known for her cinnamon rolls (just perfect with a little farm fresh cream), homemade noodles (with eggs from her very own chickens), and homemade chicken noodle soup. She sewed school dresses for her daughters and granddaughter. She made quilts, wedding cakes, and crafts. A true farmer’s wife, she milked cows, hauled wheat, and raised chickens. She will be missed by her best friends Fido, her dog, and Miss Oreo, her cat. We love you Mom.

Visitation will be Monday, June 19 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. followed by a vigil and rosary at 7 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney, Kansas.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 20 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Collyer, Kansas. Burial will take place in St. Mary Cemetery, Ellis, Kansas. Lunch will follow at the VFW in Ellis, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ellis County Relay For Life or Memorial Masses. Contributions may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, Ks 67672.
Condolences may be sent by signing the guestbook at www.schmittfuneral.com..