Ronald Ray Knouse

Ronald Ray Knouse, age 78, of Tipton, Iowa, passed away peacefully at home on September 21, 2025, at 11:12 p.m., under the compassionate care of Compasses Hospice.

Born November 7, 1946, in Muscatine, Iowa, to Raymond Edward Knouse and Mary Alice (Thomas) Knouse Reynolds, Ron grew up in Tipton and Wilton, graduating from Wilton High School in 1964.

Ron proudly served in the United States Army Reserve, entering active duty for training on July 10, 1966. He completed six months as a Supply Clerk (76A10), earning the National Defense Service Medal and Sharpshooter Rifle Badge, before being honorably released from active duty on January 9, 1967. He then returned to the USAR to fulfill the remainder of his service obligation, continuing his commitment to country and community.

On September 18, 1966, Ron married Connie Lee Thurston at Zion Lutheran Church in Wilton. Just days before his passing, they celebrated 59 years of marriage, a milestone marked by enduring love and devotion. Even in illness, Ron’s joy and warmth shone through—sharing a cupcake and smiles with family.

Ron was hired by the City of Tipton Electrical Department on August 1, 1994 as a Plant Operator, a role in which he operated and maintained the city’s electrical generation and distribution systems. For over 17 years, he worked to keep Tipton’s lights on—maintaining diesel engines and generators, monitoring substations, and ensuring the safety and reliability of the power grid. His steady hand and problem-solving spirit earned him the respect of colleagues and the gratitude of the community. He retired on November 7, 2011, leaving behind a legacy of reliability and service.

He was a proud member of American Legion Post 123 and a man of deep Lutheran faith. To his children and grandchildren, Ron was affectionately known as “Pa”—the man who could fix anything. Whether it was a broken appliance or a broken heart, Pa believed everything could be mended. Even while battling cancer for over a decade—esophageal, stomach, back, and lung—he remained calm, positive, and determined. His selflessness was evident in every choice, always putting family first.

The Knouse family spent nearly ten years in Wyoming, where Ron’s love for hunting and fishing flourished. After Wyoming, they lived in Minnesota for two years before returning to Tipton in 1987. Ron also enjoyed golfing, keeping his clubs and cart ready with the hopeful words, “Maybe someday.”

Generous to the core, Ron once donated his beloved red Corvette to PBS simply because he saw a need. He gave without hesitation—whether filling a gas tank for a granddaughter, making pancakes shaped like letters for the grandkids, or showing Connie how to cook. He was the pillar of his family, the one who held everyone up.

Ron and Connie were truly two peas in a pod, finishing each other’s sentences and facing life’s challenges hand in hand. He never gave up on her, or on hope. He believed in solutions, in kindness, and in the healing power of love.

Ron is survived by his wife Connie, daughter Tina Helmold of Tipton, son Raymond Knouse of Cedar Rapids; brothers Tom Knouse, Dan Knouse, and Richard Jensen; grandchildren Jordan Hora, Zachary Wurr, and Dylan Helmold; and great-grandchildren Brayden, Elliot, and Lennon Hora. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Chuck Knouse and William Hartley.

Service details are pending with Fry Funeral Home, Tipton.