Bette J. Knoll

Bette Jane Radke Knoll was born in Bayport Minnesota on January 25, 1927 to William and Ella Radke. She graduated from South Saint Paul High School in 1940 with honors. After graduating she attended an Art school and Music school for two years. She attended Vauro music & dancing for two years in South Saint Paul (where her parents lived for 30 years). She joined the Musician Union soon after and played and sang in many shows at that time, as well as, many nightclubs in the Metro area. She wanted to play some other instruments, so she chose to play saxophone, clarinet and banjo. She played many novelty tunes on the chromatic harmonica that her father taught her. Later on in life she taught harmonica at college nearby. At age 17 she and her sisters sang and played on radio KSTP, 'Sunset Valley Barn Dance,' as guest stars.She worked at the South Saint Paul Reporter for a year. She than got her elevator license and worked at the Golden Rule in Saint Paul for a year. She proceeded to find a better job at No. States Envelope Co. where she worked for eleven years. She was their right hand employee, learning payroll, switch board, and accounting. She had training in art, so she had a chance of designing all of their Christmas cards and art memo's for various other orders.Bette continued her singing and playing in nightclubs until 1950 during the war years she sang at Fort Snelling for soldiers & Sailors. Previously, she joined an orchestra (called the Rhythm Rascals) which consisted of three gals and three guys. They were booked up constantly throughout the Twin Cities.At age 25 she went on a weekend trip to Lake Johanna and she met her future husband, Frank Knoll, who owned a night club called the Depot Night Club. She fell deeply in love and married Frank in 1955. They had six sons and two daughters. Bette and Frank raised their family in Eagan and Rosemount. They built three houses. It was 54 years (last count) her family became all grown up and Bette went back to her singing career and she joined the Twin City Show Chorus. She sang with them for 15 years. They won many metals in music competitions. She became their stage manager. They sang at Orchestra Hall, Ordway Theater and Charles of the Ritz and many other establishments. With the help of her husband and daughter she opened an antique shop in Rosemount. She made wreaths by the dozens (last count was 100). She would take them out to the grave sites (whether she knew them or not). She started writing poetry and sold them the Barnes & Noble. She wrote a second book on Unusual World War II happenings. She was a member of Saint John's of Rich Valley Church, Ladies Aid, & the LWML for 6 years. She was president of Ladies Aid. She will be laid to rest in Saint John's cemetery with her many friends of yesterday. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Ella Radke; two sisters, Margie Christianson and Lorraine Stadt and brothers, Wilber Radke; Harry Bodelivick; and son in law John Kaufman. She is survived by her husband, Frank A. Knoll Jr. of Rosemount; children, Cynthia; Mitchell (Vicki); Marshall; Michael (Julie); Montgomery (Lesa); Cassandra (John) Kaufman; Mace (Dung); Morgan (Anne) Knoll; 25 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. The Visitation will be held from 5 - 8pm on Wed., June 9th at the Wise Family Funeral Home at 400 Spring St. Hastings, MN. The Funeral Service will be held at 11am Thurs. June 10th at St John's Lutheran Church on Rich Valley Blvd., in Rosemount with a visitation one hour prior to services.