Margaret L. Knott

Margaret L. Knott, age 90, of Council Bluffs passed away at her home on July 21, 2015. She was born in Council Bluffs on May 10, 1925 to the late George L. and Mabel L. (OBrien) Sluyter. Margaret graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School with the class of 1944 with a 4.0 grade point average. During her high school experience, she first dated Jim Knott, the man she would later marry. Having always wanted to be a nurse, she entered the U.S Cadet Nurses Training Corps. at Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha. She graduated from there in 1948 with the highest grade point average of her class. Margaret was chosen as Miss Methodist in 1947 by the instructors and staff. She also was chosen to model the new student nurses uniforms. Margarets first nursing position was on the floor as an R.N. at Methodist Hospital. It was while she was finishing school that she and James Knott were married December 23, 1947 in a semi-secret ceremony after gaining permission as it was prohibited for nurse trainees to be married at that time. Margaret and Jim owned and operated the Pleasant Home for Convalescents and lived there as well. Margaret worked around the clock providing complete and total care for the patients. Many of their family holiday functions were even held there because of her commitment to those patients. This commitment included caring for their children. After eight years of being solely committed to the facility and patients, the couple had their first opportunity to socialize and travel. So while pregnant with their third child, they finally took a honeymoon. Margaret was known for being very candid, honest and putting others first. She was deeply involved in the community. She and Dr. Knott loved to dance and made lifelong friendships with people theyd met. She was active in the Newcomers Club and was a past president. Some of her other memberships include: the United Fund, March of Dimes, The Pott-Mills County and State Medical Societies Auxiliary, Xi Beta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Social Sorority and became President of the Sorority City Council. She was on the Visiting Nurses Association Board and the Pottawattamie County Landlord Association to name a few. After helping establish the Generals Ladies in 1972, she served as its president for the first three years. Margaret chaired the Dodge House Cook Book that was published in 1976. Shed served on both the board of directors and the board of trustees. In total, she had more than 28 years of devoted service to the General Dodge House. Another organization that she served was the Council Bluffs Senior Center. She and her husband have co-chaired a number of fundraisers. She was also been inducted into the Thomas Jefferson High School Hall of Fame. Margaret was not only involved in organizations within the community but in her husbands practice as well, working there fourteen years. After Dr. Knott was medically retired, she closed his practice in January of 1994. Together in July of 1994 they purchased the Westwood Apartments. Their business was JAMA Management, LLC. Margaret was responsible for the general management that included sales, bookkeeping, advertising and collecting. They sold the apartments in 2011 and that brought her retirement at age 86. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her sisters, Jeanette Crom and Charlotte Schroeder; great grandson, Carter Kelly. Margaret is survived by her husband of 67 years, James L. Knott M.D; sons, James R. Knott D.D.S and his wife Stella, David Knott, Paul Knott and his wife Kathryn; sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and David Velasco; 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. A celebration of her life will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2015 at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the foundation of either Jennie Edmundson Hospital or Mercy Hospital, the Dodge House, The Senior Center or charity of your choice.