FULLERTON — Eddie Knopik, 92, of Fullerton died Saturday, July 20, 2013, at his home. Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Peter Catholic Church in Fullerton. The Rev. Richard Whiteing will officiate. Burial will be in St. Peter Catholic Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday with a scripture service at 7 p.m. followed by a rosary at the church. Palmer Funeral Home in Fullerton is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Knopik was born Oct. 8, 1920, at home south of Fullerton, the oldest son of Frank and Caroline (Lesiak) Knopik. He was preceded in death by a son, Brother Rick Knopik. Survivors of his immediate family include his wife, Leatrice of Fullerton; three sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Carolyn Knopik of Belgrade, Larry and Margareta Knopik of Kansas City, Kan., and Kenny and Jana Knopik of Palmer; three daughters and sons-in-law, Deb and Britt Blackwell of Fullerton, Jody and Pat Hogan of Fullerton, and Kathy and Doug Dolan of North Platte; three brothers and two sisters-in-law Richard Knopik of Columbus, Frank and Katie Knopik of Lincoln, and Louie and Donna Knopik of Grand Island; three sisters and a brother-in-law, Rosie Zaruba of Columbus, Lorraine Hamel of Dodge, and Mary and Benny Gdowski of York; and two sisters-in-law, Arlene Knopik of Grand Island and Rita Knopik of Plattsmouth. Also surviving are 16 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. Eddie grew up in Nance County and attended Red Top School at District 58 and graduated the eighth grade. In 1940, he moved to Omaha and worked at Johnnie’s Café and Wilson Meat Packing Co. On Aug. 28, 1942, he and his brother Virgil enlisted in the United States Navy. They were on the same ship for a while in WWII where Eddie cooked. He was honorably discharged Nov. 13, 1945. He then came back to Fullerton and bought a café. He ran Eddie’s Café for two years. He met Leatrice Horacek there. They were married Jan. 31, 1948, in Omaha. The couple moved to Cedar Rapids and ran another café for two years. In 1951 they bought a farm west of Fullerton in the North Star area and farmed and raised seven children. In 1976 they moved into town. In 1977 they became part owners of the Loup River Inn and ran it for 37 years. They greeted many people and made many friends there. He was county supervisor for 23 years. He was a member of St. Peters Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus, was a lifetime member of the American Legion and V.F.W., and served as honorary color guard for 50 years. Eddie’s favorite past time was working and when he wasn’t working he always wanted to know where his kids and grandkids were working. He loved international tractors. In addition to his son, he preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Katherine Casey, Liz Stopak and Ethel Kava, and three brothers, Lawrence “Groby” Knopik, Virgil Knopik and Jerome “Abe” Knopik.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 10:33:18 +0000
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