Lazelle S. Knocke

Lazelle S. Knocke, (nee Schwarten), 94, of Readington, NJ, passed away Sunday, December 25, 2011. Former wife of Dr. Frederick J. Knocke and beloved mother of Dorothy Maxfield of New Jersey, Alabama and Louisiana, Diane and her husband William Kohout of Wyckoff, New Jersey and Martha and her husband Anton Hoffarth of Tauffelen, Switzerland. Dear grandmother of Virginia Callahan, Debborah Kuschel, Donna Douglass, Niklas Schalku and Charity Schalkau. Great grandmother of Zoe Douglass.

Lazelle graduated from Columbia University School of Nursing specializing in orthopedic nursing and soon became the head nurse on the women’s surgical floor at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City where she met her future husband, Dr. Frederick J. Knocke. She and Dr. Knocke were married shortly before World War II and together authored the book, “Orthopedic Nursing” in 1951.

The Knockes moved to Hobby Horse Hill Farm in Readington, NJ in 1953 where Lazelle became the President of the Public Health Association and established the Family Nursing Service, serving as its president of its first Board of Trustees.

Lazelle also pursued her passion and love for equestrian arts as a fox hunter, then riding through the levels of dressage to Grand Prix and competing internationally at the FEI levels earning the USDF Silver Medal in 1991, the USDF Mather’s Challenge Award in 1992 and together with her partner, Don Perignon, becoming the first member of the Dressage Foundation’s Century Club. Her contributions to the horse sport included founding the Eastern States Dressage Association, ESDA-currently known as the ESDCTA, hosting US Equestrian Team and US Pony Club training and events, helping found the United States Dressage Foundation, USDF, serving as First Vice-President, then as President from 1989-1993, officiating at numerous events in the US and Canada as USEF and FEI licensed judge, helping pioneer the USDF Instructor Certification Program and the USDF’s “L” Education Program for judge training, and was currently serving as Director Emeritus of the National Board of Director’s for The Dressage Foundation. Awards included USDF Region 1 “Contribution of the year” by The Chronicle of the Horse, the “S Braley Gray Award” for contributions to dressage and the USDF’s “Lifetime Achievement Award” for dedication to the USDF through lifetime volunteerism. She was also recognized as, “One of the Notable Women of Hunterdon County, New Jersey.”

A time of remembrance and celebration of her life is planned for Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. in the Readington Reformed Church, Readington Road, Readington, NJ under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Interment will be private and there are no calling hours. Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information or to send condolences.

In lieu of flowers, gift’s in Lazelle’s memory may be made to The Dressage Foundation, 1314 'O' Street, Suite 305, Lincoln, NE 68508 or to the ESDCTA, Don Perignon Educational Fund, c/o Marsha Montgomery, 11 Indian Run, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889.