Wanda Knoepfel

Vicky, Wanda, Nomie, Mom was born Sept 2,1932 in Hoffman, Oklahoma to George and Myrtle Newton. She passed away on Nov 16, 2025. The Newton family, grandparents, aunts and uncles moved from Oklahoma to California during the great depression and dust bowl just like in John Steinbeck’s ‘The Grapes of Wrath’. They lived in the Los Angeles area where she heard of salvation through Jesus Christ and accepted his offer of eternal life. At 13 the family moved to the San Joaquin Valley, (Dinuba and Orosi). She attended Orosi Junior High before moving to Modesto, where she met the love of her life, John Knoepfel, who was stationed at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater. Vicky was a member of Beta Sigma Fi and was elected president of the Sorority for one year in Atwater. They transferred to Naha AFB Okinawa when the kids were 14, 12, 10 and 9. The family all loved military life and especially their time in Okinawa. They then transferred to Webb AFB in Big Spring, Texas where John retired. They were very proud of their 4 kids. All of them graduated from Big Spring High School, then scattered to 4 different states. Vicky ended up back in Atwater and just recently in Lathrop, CA. She is survived by her daughter, Vikki Henderson (David), Lathrop, CA; her sons, Dicky (Missy), North Charleston, SC; Johnny, Anthem, AZ and Jerry, El Paso, TX. Seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Memorial service will be held at the Atwater Baptist Church on Tuesday, December 2 at 11am with repast dinner following at the church.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wanda Knoepfel, please visit our floral store.