Nellie Anne Karnof, 91, North Manchester, Indiana, passed away February 2, 2022, at her home. The daughter of Claus Anno and Rachel Gertrude (Holleman) Miedema, Nellie was born February 23, 1930, in Huron, South Dakota.
After graduating from Hitchcock High School, Nellie attended Southern State Teachers College at Springfield, where she received her state teaching permit and later attended Huron College, both of which were in South Dakota. In 1974 Nellie moved to North Manchester and began working at Heckman Bindery in the collating department. She retired after twenty years of service and turned her attention toward serving her community. Nellie donated her time to the Fellowship of the Churches Thrift Store and the North Manchester Public Library. She served lunches at the Scout Hall for Area IV Council on Aging, was a Den Mother in Cub Scouts, and volunteered one thousand hours to the Wabash County Hospital. Nellie viewed volunteering as a way to give back and inspire others.
Nellie enjoyed relaxing by watching older movies, especially those featuring James Dean. She loved Post Crossing and birdwatching. She loved looking at beautiful flowers, and Sunflowers were her favorite. Nellie was a cheerful, gifted person who loved being around others. She was an accomplished seamstress and was skilled at playing the organ and piano. On Sundays, Nellie enjoyed worshipping at the Manchester United Methodist Church, where she was a member.
The loving memory of Nellie Anne Karnof will be forever cherished by her sons, Gerald A. “Jerry” and Joseph R. (Sheri) Karnof, both of North Manchester; daughters, Lois A. (Barbara Walter) Karnof, North Manchester and Jean McVay, Lafayette; grandchildren, Terry (Jessica) Karnof, Greenwood, Luke (Jessica) McVay, Lafayette, and Rachel McVay, Lafayette; great-grandchildren, Xzander Lee Karnof, Jayden Boatner, and Sophia Jane Karnof; brothers, Ed (Marella) Miedema, Rapid City, South Dakota and Stephen (Bev) Miedema, Springfield, South Dakota; and sister, Lillian (Jim) Busch, Huron, South Dakota. Nellie was preceded in death by her parents, Claus and Rachel Miedema and brothers, Robert Andrew Miedema, William Edward Miedema, Clarence Alford Miedema, James Henry Miedema, and Claus Anno Miedema Jr.
Following Nellie’s wishes, there will not be any services. To honor her memory instead, find a way to volunteer.
For those wishing to honor the memory of Nellie Anne Karnof, memorial contributions may be made Friends of the North Manchester Public Library, 405 North Market Street, North Manchester, Indiana 46962.
The family of Nellie Karnof has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.
