Friday memorial for Don Knodel, 89, barber-shop owner and more

This Friday afternoon at Forest Lawn, family and friends will gather to say goodbye to Don Knodel. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with the community:

In Loving Memory of Don Knodel

It is with great sadness that on 11/11/14 our father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, and friend, passed away. He was the anchor of the Knodel family and will be missed.

Donald Clayton Knodel was born in Chasely, ND and raised in Hurdsfield, ND. He was one of 8 children and lived there until he joined the Navy, where he served in World War II on the USS Howard W. Gilmore. He came home and married Audrey Jean Kelm, his wife of 64 years. Together they took a leap of faith and with their two young children moved from ND, to West Seattle where they lived out the rest of their lives.

Don owned and operated Don’s Barber Shop on California Ave. for 45 years. He was an avid sportsman his whole life, playing baseball and basketball in school, then in the men’s league in ND. Moving to WS he became a regular bowler at the W.S. Bowl, poker player, and was involved with W.S. Little League Baseball as a coach and umpire. He and Audrey were Totems hockey season ticket holders and original Seahawks season ticket holders. Fishing was his true passion with trips to Canada and up at Timberlakes. Don loved having family and friends around him, whether it was playing cards, dancing or just sitting around telling stories and laughing. Lots of laughing….

Preceded in death by his wife Audrey; 3 brothers – Durward, Al, Andy; 2 sisters – Doris and Joyce. He is survived by his children Dwight (Nik), Kath (Kelly), Pam (Tom); grandchildren Erin, Damon, Tyler, Ian, Kaley; 6 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters Opal, Irene; and countless friends and family who will miss, but never forget, him.

Service: 11/21/2014, 2 pm, Forest Lawn Funeral Home (6701 30th SW). Please join us in the celebration of his life at the Knodel residence following the service (4122 41st SW). If you wish, donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation would be greatly appreciated.

(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

7 Replies to "Friday memorial for Don Knodel, 89, barber-shop owner and more"

  • Paula November 19, 2014 (10:20 am)

    Another piece of real West Seattle gone.
    Long live West Seattle.
    RIP Don.

  • Denise November 19, 2014 (12:56 pm)

    We will miss Uncle Don, but we will never forget his laughter and all of the wonderful times we spent with him.

  • JanS November 19, 2014 (1:25 pm)

    My condolences to the family :(

  • norskgirl November 19, 2014 (2:55 pm)

    May Don rest in peace.
    Whenever my dad came to visit me, he made a point of going to Don’s Barber Shop! Dad always felt he received a “fine cut”. Moreover, he loved to chat it up with Don. Returning from his visit, dad always remarked what a “good guy that Don is”. Bless them both.

  • alkigirl November 19, 2014 (8:48 pm)

    My heart goes out to you. May your dad and the love of his life, RIP together, till you all meet again. Your dad cut my dad’s (also Don) hair for years! My dad also, said what a great guy your dad was. I only met him once, with you Kath, but he had a firm handshake, and a smile that lit the room. Let that light stay with all of you forever.

  • Doug November 19, 2014 (9:37 pm)

    Coach Knodel was my coach when I played for Mark’s Pharmacy little league “A” team in 1968. We had 80 kids try out for 30 roster spots on the A&B teams. It was fierce competition to make the team. Coach Knodle was a fair man, and no one was anointed a place on the team. One earned a spot on his team by practicing hard & hustling harder, a lesson that has served me well for 46 years henceforth. Thank you Coach, and rest in peace.

  • Evan Adelson Sorensen November 21, 2014 (1:39 pm)

    Don and Audrey, you were the best! Your home was always a welcoming place, filled with love and laughter. I have many fond memories of sleep-overs there and good times spent with all the Knodel family. You will be missed. Bless you Don and Audrey, you are together once again.

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