John Knoch

John Knoch, 71, of Westfield, Wis., died Oct. 3, 2021. Knoch and his wife, Joanne, met in high school and went on to purchase her family’s farm. K-Farms included around 1,200 acres and was most commonly known for hand-picked cucumbers. Knoch served as president of the Wisconsin Hand Picked Cucumber Growers Association, member of the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers, member of the board of directors and chairman of the vegetable committee.

The couple also founded The Knock Shoppe — a manufacturer of cake stand systems. The couple started the company after Joanne took three classes — a woodworking class, upholstery class and a cake decorating class. She began to make cakes, exhibiting at bridal shows and then started creating different ways to display cakes.

The company’s cake systems have been sold in almost every state in the U.S. as well as several countries.

Knoch is survived by Joanne; children Patrick (Joy); Benjamin (Amanda Lynn); Tiffany (James) Houdek; Nathaniel; Joshua (Amanda Marie); and Corrina (John) Mitchell; 18 grandchildren; and several siblings.