Georgia Veronica Knisley was born on March 14, 1926; she was one of five children born to Joseph J. and Antonia (Coufal) Lanc on the family farm near Brainard, NE. She passed away on November 14, 2015 in Seward, NE at the 89 years and 8 months. Georgia was baptized and confirmed at Assumption Catholic Church in Dwight, and grew up near Brainard and attended Buffalo Head School and later Brainard High School. She met Bill Knisley while working in York. They married on April 3, 1944, in Custer, South Dakota, where they lived for about a year. The couple moved to Nebraska and they started farming and raising turkeys near Utica. In 1960, the couple opened an antique store, which they operated until 1983. They refinished furniture until Bill passed away in 1994. Georgia moved to Seward in 2000, and volunteered at the Lied Center for many years. She moved to Ridgewood Rehab and Care Center in 2013. Georgia was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic and was active in the Altar and Rosary Society and the church's prayer chain. Georgia enjoyed going to casinos, playing cards, Bingo, Polka music, dancing, cooking enchiladas and baking, and gardening. Georgia loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bill on June 13, 1994, sons Jim Knisley (1973) and Bill Knisley (1998). Georgia is survived by her children, Ronald Knisley Langner and wife Wanda of St. Louis, MO; Steve Knisley and wife Michelle of Omaha, NE; George Knisley and wife Linda of Goehner, NE; Rick Knisley and wife Judy of Moriarty, NM; Patricia Vavra and husband Ron of Utica, NE; Barbara Kavan and husband Albert of Cedar Bluff, NE; and Karen Vinzant and husband Paul of Meeker, CO; 22 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Zabka Funeral Home. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be sung on Friday, November 20, 2015, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. celebrated by Father Christopher Barak. Burial will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Seward Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Georgia Knisley family for future designations.
