Anna M Knickerbocker

Ann Knickerbocker
Anna Mae Knickerbocker (Ann, as she liked to be called) was born September 8, 1920, to Lyman and Elva (Nighswonger) Vincent at Sparland, Illinois, the tenth of thirteen children. In this large family was a mother and father, faithful to the Word of God. Church and Sunday School were a vital part of life.

As a girl, one of Ann’s passions was sports, especially basketball. Girls had no part in sports in the small schools. In fact, she would consider herself a tomboy. In a family as large as this, everyone had duties, especially babysitting grandbabies. Music was an important part of this family also.

Ann was close to her sister, Hilda Joy. Hilda played piano and saxophone and her desire was to go to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. A tragic accident took her life at age 20. As a result, Ann had all the Moody information, and became a “Moody” graduate in 1943. During her life at Moody, music and Bible were her goals. Her main employment at school was singing on WMBI radio, where she once was accompanied on the piano by George Beverly Shea.

During this time, World War II was raging. On one occasion a roommate’s brother, A.J. Knickerbocker stopped by and the couple was introduced. Ann and A.J. fell in love and were married on April 5, 1945, and to this union three children were born: Joy, Mark and Forrest. The Knickerbockers first served and pastored in A.J.’s hometown of Ontonagon, Michigan. They later moved on to Ocqueoc, MI, St. Charles, MN, Arvada, CO, Sterling, CO, Stratton, NE, and finally the Greeley Alliance Church in Greeley, CO.

With failing health and growing older, the couple moved to Wauneta, NE, in August of 1993.
Ann passed away Monday, June 1, 2020, at her home in Wauneta. She was 99 years of age.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents; husband; A.J. in 2007,a stillborn infant; sisters Ruth, Evangeline, Betty, Darlene, Orla, Dorthy Alice, Gladys, and Hilda Joy; brothers Louis and Forrest Dean.

Survivors include:
Daughter: Joy Wheeler and husband, Rod, of Wauneta, NE.
Sons: Mark Knickerbocker and wife Suzi of Wheatland, WY.
Forrest Knickerbocker and wife Susan of Ecru, MS.
Grandchildren: Anita (Wheeler) and husband Todd Colwell, Roxey (Wheeler) and husband Matt Martin, Marty Wheeler and wife Renee (McCoy), Ryan Knickerbocker, Mitch Cozad and wife Rhianna (Combs).
Great-granddaughters: Alecia Colwell, Audrey Colwell, Anna (Colwell) Short and husband Nick, Abby Colwell, Maycee Wheeler, Rhiannon Martin, Kianna Wheeler, and Sydonia Cozad.
Great-grandsons: Ashton Wheeler, Teague Martin, Aaden Wheeler, Elijah Wheeler and Lane Knickerbocker.
Sister: Shirley (Vincent) Bulger of Sparland, IL

Funeral Services will be held Friday, June 5, 2020, 11:00 a.m. (CT), at the Hamlet Union Church, Hamlet, Nebraska, with Pastor Joshua Clark and Rev. Todd Colwell officiating. Interment will follow at the Hamlet Cemetery, Hamlet, NE.
Visitation will be held before services on Friday, June 5, 2020, at the Hamlet Union Church

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been suggested to the Christian and Missionary Alliance Great Commission.
On line condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com
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