Marvalee Ann Knox

Beloit Kansas, October 18th 1923

Parents: Louise Ann Gobel and William W. Murphy

Siblings: Grace Brennan, Alice Sarver, Dennis Murphy

Grandchildren: Teresa Peck, Ronda Hermans, Joseph K. Hauser, Jennifer (Michael) Sheets

Great Grandchildren: Erica & Erin Svisdahl, Ashley (Dustin) Ashbrook; Joseph Christopher and Joshua Kenneth Hauser, Jack Ryan Johnson, and Kenna Rochell Hauser

After the death of her father William W. Murphy in 1927 and due to dire economic conditions at the time, Marvalee's mother (Louise) accepted a homestead grant of 160 acres. In 1930 she moved Marvalee (age 7yrs) to Canada in what was then, and to a large degree remains, wilderness in Northwest British Columbia. None of her siblings accompanied them on the trip as they were all much older and married (with the exception of Dennis).

There, with the help of local Indians and Norwegian immigrants they completed building a small, primitive 3 room cabin in which Marvalee, her mother and another remained for the next 5 -7 years. While beautiful the Northwest Territory was a harsh and unforgiving land teeming with large brown and black bears, moose, wildcats, deer and elk. Winter always came early and stayed late with temperatures falling as much as 40 degrees below zero at night and rising only to 0 degrees at best during the day.

Remotely located, the cabin was several miles from the nearest neighbor and at least 10 miles to the closest town (Hudson's Hope). At this time Marvalee's education was through a home study correspondence course. Her only contact with the broader world was by wireless radio, books, newspapers, local Indians and the occasional trapper.

Eventually Hudson's Hope provided schooling opportunities for the region's children. This allowed Marvalee, now about 9 years old, to continue her education in the one room school house made available for all the children. However, to take advantage of this opportunity she was required to ride a horse, on her own, from her cabin to town and back. During the winter months she stayed in town living with one of the school teacher's family returning home again in the spring.

As a child of 7 yrs. part of Marvalee's responsibilities was taking care of the homestead animals as well as other tasks. One such task was toting buckets of water from a creek located down a deep ravine near the cabin for cooking, cleaning and personal use. This chore was needed during all times of the year and could be quite hazardous for anyone but especially for a young child.

After a few years her older brother Dennis came to Canada and worked for the Hudson Bay Company initially as a trapper eventually becoming a Trading Manager. During the course of his employment Dennis became fluent in several local Indian languages.

When Marvalee was around fourteen years old her mother returned to the United States leaving Marvalee on her own. At that time Marvalee moved to Hudson's Hope where she found employment.
A few years later she married her childhood friend, Keith Peck. From this union they had a son – Rockne. Rockne was named after the famous Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne. Marvalee always loved football, even back then! After the marriage ended Marvalee moved to Washington State where she worked for a few years.

There she met a handsome sailor named Kenneth Knox (whom she eventually married in 1950.) Ken was in the Coast Guard so at first their relationship was long distance but Ken switched to the Air Force and the military way of life was the new norm. Stateside and European assignments covered the next 24 yrs. During this time, daughter Patti was born. The end of Marvalee's "military life" and her marriage to Ken put her in San Antonio Texas where she resided for many years.

Marvalee worked as a dental assistant, managed two rental properties, was active in her church and was an active member and officer of an organization for spouses of military personnel.

In 1996 Marvalee moved up to Westerville Ohio and lived with her daughter and son-in-law – Joe. Here she was an active member of the Westerville Senior Center for many years until her health became an issue. Marvalee spent her final days at home with her family who loved her; and she will never be forgotten.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 pm, Friday August 18, 2017 at Newcomer Funeral Home, N. E., 3047 East Dublin-Granville Rd., Columbus Ohio 43231 where the memorial service will be held following 6 p.m. Pastor Doug Nault officiating.