Clarice Belle Knight

Clarice Belle (Oswald) Knight, 89, passed away surrounded by her family on July 14, 2025, at Oakley Place in Topeka, Kansas.

She was born on February 6, 1936, in Ottawa, Kansas the daughter of Clarence Edward and Lola May (Underwood) Oswald. Clarice attended grade school at the Rural Acorn School in Franklin County, Kansas. She was very active in Acorn Rustlers 4H Club in Franklin County and was on the 4h Council. She graduated in 1954 as Valedictorian of her class from Princeton High School in Princeton, Kansas.

Following graduation, she married Loy Dean Knight at the Princeton Methodist Church on June 27, 1954. Clarice became an Air Force wife living in Amarillo, Texas; Midwest City, Oklahoma; Misawa, Japan; Topeka, Kansas; Nattenheim, Germany and Spring Lake, North Carolina. After her husband’s retirement they moved back to Princeton where they made their home until 2016, later moving to Ottawa, Kansas.

Clarice was a member of the Princeton United Methodist Church where she played the piano and organ for over 50 years. She also played in various churches and gave piano lessons throughout her life. Music and her faith were always very important to her.

Clarice was also a member of the United Women in Faith, VFW Auxiliary, and Daughter’s of the American Revolution (recently receiving her 50-year pin). Clarice held many offices and served these organizations in several capacities until the end.

During her working career she was with the Appraiser’s Office in Franklin County. She later worked 39 ½ years as an Avon Representative. During that time, she received many District Avon Awards. Her greatest job was raising her family.

Clarice enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing, camping, tending to her flowers, Bingo, feeding the birds, and attending her grandchildren’s many sporting events. She and her husband enjoyed camping with the camping club and spending time as Winter Texans. She never missed watching KU Basketball, Royals and Chiefs games.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Lola Oswald, her husband Loy Dean Knight, and a granddaughter Kristi Medlen. Clarice is survived by four daughters, Debbie Stephenson and husband Scott of Scranton, Kansas; Nancy Woolery and husband Sheldon of Princeton, Kansas; Cindy Medlen and husband Dean of Rantoul, Kansas; and Donna Mathena-Menke and husband Marvin of Topeka, Kansas.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Brett (Jodi) Woolery, Kurtis Woolery, Christopher (Jessica) Woolery, Ryan (Lacey) Medlen, Johnna Mathena, Brittany (Ryan) Moranz and Lakyn Stephenson, and great grandchildren, Teagan and Tatum Moranz, Carter Medlen, Brooklyn and Hayden Woolery, Kovax and Radley Woolery and Xander and Easton Jackson

Her family would like to thank Kansas Rehabilitation Hospital, Oakley Place, and Midland Hospice for the kindness and care given to her this past month.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Princeton United Methodist Church and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603.

Arrangements are pending and will be available soon.