Zelma Mae Kneen, 86, of Woonsocket, formerly of Artesian, passed away at the Prairie View Healthcare Community in Woonsocket. 

Her funeral service was held Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, at the Welter Funeral Home in Huron with burial at the Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation was held on Friday, Feb. 22, at the Welter Funeral Home and included a prayer service. A visitation was also held prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday.

Zelma Mae Wormstadt, the daughter of Fred and Irene (Tompkins) Wormstadt, was born on Sept. 22, 1932, in Huron. Zelma was baptized on May 5, 1935, and confirmed on May 25, 1947, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Woonsocket. She grew up on the family farm in Floyd Township, where she attended grade school. Zelma graduated from Forestburg High School in 1951.

Zelma married Orie Kneen on March 7, 1952. Following their marriage, the couple farmed in the Artesian area until Orie’s death in 1997. Zelma remained on the farm until May of 2017 when she moved into Countryside Living in Mitchell. In October of 2018, Zelma moved to Prairie View Healthcare Community in Woonsocket, due to health issues.

Zelma was a member of the Lutheran Church in Forestburg. She was also a member of the American Cancer Society. Zelma loved to bake and was famous for her nightshade pies and wedding cakes.

Zelma is survived by her children, Arthur (Audrey) Kneen, of Artesian, Robert (Velma) Kneen, of Forestburg, JoAnne (Terry) Powers, of Lewis, Kan., and Jerry (Roylene) Kneen, of Mitchell; 13 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister, Melva (Harold) Jastram, of Surprise, Ariz.; and several nieces and nephews.

Zelma was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Orie Kneen; grandson, Matt Yule; two grandchildren in infancy; brother, Lester Wormstadt; and sister, Helen Baker.