Vida L. Knight

Vida Loraine (Smullins) Knight was born on February 22, 1926, in Piedmont, Kansas, and passed away in her sleep on Friday, January 20, 2012. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wylie Knight, her parents Della (Wade) and Lee Smullins, and her three brothers Raymond, Ralph and Glenn.
In 1934 Vida and her family moved to Burr Oak, Kansas, where her family owned and operated a dairy and later the Smullins Café. Vida attended grade school in Burr Oak and graduated from high school there 1943. After high school, during WWII, Vida moved to San Diego, California where she was a real life “Rosie the Riveter.” She loved her country and was a true patriot, a lifelong member of the American Legion Auxiliary and she never missed a Memorial Day Service at the Burr Oak Cemetery.

Vida later returned to Burr Oak to be with her long-time boyfriend, Wylie Knight. On August 15, 1950, while Wylie was in Murdo, South Dakota harvesting, Vida and friends drove to his wheat field, picked him up and took him to Pierre where they were married. To this union two daughters were born, Cynthia Elaine and Kitza Kay. In 1957, Vida and Wylie built their home in Burr Oak next to her parent’s, where they each resided until their deaths.

Embracing their summers on the road as custom harvesters, travelling annually from Texas to the Canadian line, Vida and Wylie established a successful business that would later lead to their acquisition of farmland in Jewell County. Their hard work culminated in the formation of Knight Family Farms, the corporation that represents their lives work.

During their 55 years of marriage, Vida and Wylie lived life to the fullest. They especially enjoyed their Saturday evening trips to Superior to go dancing and the Christmas Eve and 4th of July celebrations they would host annually. As they aged, Vida and Wylie expanded their local farming operation and spent more time at home. They still took time to travel, visiting nearly all 50 of the United States. The Knights especially enjoyed their trips to Las Vegas, car races, air shows, and the Kansas State Fair. Though she liked traveling, nothing compared to returning home to Burr Oak to be with family and friends. Right up to the very end of her life, Vida was a vibrant woman who enjoyed her daily trips to the Burr Oak Café, watching KU basketball games, and a cold beer each night before supper.

Vida was often described as “one in a million.” She was a strong and outspoken woman who would always let you know what she thought and she had a unique way of tempering her opinions with a touch of humor. Though she was married to a successful farmer and business man she was much more than a stay-at-home wife. She was a business partner, an amazing cook (taking great pride in cooking for family and workers), a loving wife, a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was very generous and anyone who ever met Vida came away with a story or memory that they would not soon forget.

Vida spent the twilight of her life spending time with those closest to her, enjoying their company and taking great pride in their accomplishments. Vida is survived by her children, Cynthia and Dennis Clark, of Burr Oak; Kitza and Kurt Siemers of Salina; her grandchildren Laci and Ryan Boyle, Wichita, KS; Derek and Ashley Clark, Superior, NE; Kassidy Knowles, Hays, KS; and Kasey Knowles, Manhattan, KS; her great grandchildren Dayne and Levi Clark; her sister-in-law Joan Smullins of Tehachapi, CA and many nieces and nephews. She will also be greatly missed by dear friends Robert and Vonda Pumarlo, Concordia, KS and their children: Wylie Pumarlo, Wendy Richmeier, and Cyndi Reinert and their families. The family is eternally grateful for Debbie Clark, who spent day and night caring for Vida and provided her with companionship and comfort in her final days.

A celebration of life service for Vida L. Knight will be (was) at the First United Methodist Church, Burr Oak, Kansas, Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at 2:00 p.m., with Pastors Gerry Sharp and Lance McDowell officiating. Mrs. Wanda Fraser will be (was) the organist and soloist was Ms. Kassidy Knowles. Casket bearers will be (were): Derek Clark, Ryan Boyle, Wylie Pumarlo, Jeff Richmeier, Corey Reinert, and Maurice Findley. Honorary casket bearers will be (were): Danye Clark, Levi Clark, Ron Smullins, Rick Warneking, Danny Cleveland, Chris Petet, Brian Voboril, Dave Anderson, Kenton Boutz, and Steven Knowles. Interment will be (was) in the Burr Oak Cemetery, Burr Oak, Kansas, next to Wylie. The family suggests memorials to: American Legion Auxiliary of Burr Oak, Kansas.

Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of service arrangements.