Laurie Faythe (Halvorsen) Knock, age 69 of Willow Lake, S.D., passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 6, surrounded by family following a courageous 4 1⁄2 year battle with cancer.
A visitation was held Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. at Grace Lutheran Church of Willow Lake and one hour preceding her funeral service. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the Grace Lutheran Church of Willow Lake at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Collin Beveridge officiating. Following lunch, burial will take place at Collins Cemetery of rural Willow Lake.
Laurie was born July 5, 1955, at Peabody hospital in Webster, S.D., to O. Bernard & Mildred (Anderson) Halvorsen. She was raised in the Lutheran faith, baptized in the Lily Lutheran Church and confirmed at the ST. John's Lutheran Church in Webster.
Luarie spent her early childhood in Lily, attending her first four years of school there before her family moved to Webster, where she continued and finished her education. Following her high school graduation in 1973, she attended a two-year business course in Watertown. Upon completion of the course, she returned to Webster where she worked in the city office as a finance officer.
However, it was during her time in Watertown when she met the love of her life, Paul Knock, who lovingly called her his "fancy," a nickname that stuck for their entire life together. On May 27, 1979, they were united in marriage at the Lutheran church in Webster. They then made their home on the Knock family dairy farm near Willow Lake, where Laurie remained until her passing.
Over the years, Laurie used her business degree where she worked various finance jobs. Working for the City of Willow Lake, Tellinghuisen Construction, Wheat Growers Elevator and finally, DeSmet Farm Mutual Insurance. While working at Tellinghuisen Construction, she learned how to read blueprints; a skill she later used to design the plans for her dream home that was placed on the family farm in October of 2006.
Laurie was deeply devoted to her family, a love she passed down to her daughters Arrin and Rorie. Family meant everything and Laurie often helped the girls in any way she could. things such as school projects, sewing, baking, wax museum costumes, crafts, or even catching frogs with her grandchildren.
Laurie gave her time and talents generously by serving as a treasurer for several different boards within the local community. things such as church council, township and cemetery. Laurie welcomed her daughters' friends as her own, making handmade quilts, big pillows and Christmas stockings, created and stitched each with love and affection. Aside from her love of sewing, baking and family, she found immense joy and friendship for the last couple of years playing pinocle with her ladies every Tuesday she was able to.
Laurie will be remembered for her deep faith, her independent spirit, her creativity and her dedication to church and her family. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the love she so freely gave.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Paul, her parents Bernard and Mildred Halvorsen and her in-law, Arthur and Inez Knock. Also, borthers-in-law Bruce (Doc) Westling, Roger Knock and Michael Flahaven.
Grateful for sharing her life are daughters Arrin Knock of Willow Lake and Rorie (Tyler) Gregor of Black Hawk, S.D.; her six grandchildren Braeden, Masyn, Drake, Charlee, Natasha and McKinley; her brother Paul (Shirley) Halvorsen, sisters Anne Cousins and Rhonda Flahaven; as well as many nieces, nephews, in-laws and "adopted children" (you know who you are) and other loved ones who always had a special place in her heart.
Furness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
