Larry David Knoepke (Hoot) of Troy, passed away on Saturday, September 4th, 2021 peacefully at home surrounded by love. He was born in Lewiston, MT to William and Ethel Knoepke. He spent the first few years growing up in Moccasin, MT before the family moved to Troy in 1951. Larry attended school in Troy graduating in 1961.
Larry served 4 years in the US Army at Fort Polk, Louisiana before returning home to Troy. Larry started his career with St Regis Paper Company in 1965. He married Jo Anne Barnhart welcoming their son Jon in 1968 and their daughter Kim in 1971. Larry continued his career throughout the changes of the mill moving from Troy to Libby changing hands to Champion International in 1984 to Stimson Lumber in 1993. He worked as the boiler operator achieving first class boiler engineer. He attended boiler feed water treatment school in 1998 and the Western Regional Boiler Association Seminar in 2001. His career changed paths upon the closure of the mill in 2003 when he chose to attend FVCC earning a degree in Carpentry. He retired in 2005. He was a proud member of the American Legion in Libby.
Larry is preceded in death by Father William, Mother Ethel, sisters Linda Mertens and Sandy Olson.
He is survived by son Jon (Lila) Knoepke; daughter Kim (Miles) Frederickson; grandson Kenneth (Molly) Frederickson; granddaughter April Knoepke; grandson Hunter Knoepke, great granddaughter Chloe, great grandson Damon, many nieces and nephews and too many friends to name.
Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 11, 2021 at the Troy Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.
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