Michael Joe "Mick" Knott

Michael "Mick" Knott, 63, of Arthur, died Thursday, January 29, 2015 at his home surrounded by loved ones. Michael Joe "Mick" Knott was born September 14, 1951 in Albion, Nebraska. He was the oldest of four sons of Joseph J. and Doris Darlene (Fleek) Knott. He graduated from Sargent High School and received his Masters degree in Agromony and Range Science from UNL. On August 13, 1971, Mick married the love of his life, Toni Hebbert. Mick was a pickup man for Bob Barnes and Korkow Rodeo Company, worked at the Hebbert Ranch in Grant County, and at the UNL research lab in Tryon. From 1981 to 1993 Mick was the ranch manager at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory north of Whitman. In 1994 Mick entered into partnership with the Robert F. Lute II Trust which has continued for 20 years. Mick and Toni were blessed to raise their three daughters in the beloved Sandhills. One of his daughters' favorite memories is of Mick singing as they headed off to round up a pasture before the sun came up, "when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore." He enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports and rodeo. The younger grandchildren loved climbing up onto his lap, eating ice cream with him, or snuggling close to watch westerns with their Papa. He always had a love of horses and rodeo. He roped left handed for years before deciding to rope steers and taught himself to rope right handed. In 2013 he achieved a life-long dream by filling his PRCA permit so he could steer rope at the Pendleton Roundup. Mick and Toni enjoyed his participation in the Senior Steer Roping Association and the friends they have made over the years. Travel was an important part of Mick's life, and he encouraged everyone to take the opportunity to travel whenever they had the chance. He enjoyed traveling with Toni; especially spending time in Arizona with their steer roping family during the cold months. Along with his love of rodeo, Mick enjoyed collecting bits and spurs. Toni often referred to Mick as the "eBay queen" because on any given day there could be an addition to his collection in the mail. The family jokes that Mick was sort of like a woman buying shoes, when it came to his hat collection. A sign that said "you can never have enough hats" would have been ideal for him. Preceding him in death was his father and an infant son Michael T. Knott. Survivors include his wife Toni Knott of Arthur; three daughters, Sami (Jeff) Guest of Crawford; Jennie (Dan) Dyer of Sutherland; and Jessie Knott of Arthur. His mother Doris Knott of Albion; three brothers, Tom (Karla) Knott of Broken Bow; Kevin (Trice) Knott of Taylor; and Ross (Dani) Knott of Ord. Six grandchildren, Megan, Sariah and Tyler Guest and Eliana, Kate and Luke Dyer. Mother and father-in-law Mose and Merla Hebbert of Hyannis. Brother-in-law Dave (Mickie) Hebbert of Hyannis and three sisters-in-law Terry Wilson of Hays, Kan., Cheryl (Jim) Sheets of Mullen, and Tami (Pat) Taylor of Seneca. Godson Lane Knott of Lincoln and several nieces and nephews. Mick will be dearly missed by his family and friends. His laugh, smile and the twinkle in his eye can never be forgotten. The family chose cremation. The memorial service will be Tuesday, February 3, at 2 p.m. in the Arthur High School Gym. Pastors Paul Kondy and A.B. Cox will officiate. made to the Callahan Cancer Center or the Arthur Betterment Foundation. Inurnment is in the Hyannis Cemetery at a later date.

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