Luella Mae “Lu” (Gross) Knowles, age 82, passed away on May 3rd 2026, just hours shy of her 83rd birthday.

Luella was born on May 4, 1943, in Billings, Montana, and raised in Spokane, Washington. Lu was the beloved daughter of Jacob and Isabelle Gross. She was raised in the Catholic faith and educated by the Holy Names Sisters, attending St. Charles Elementary School, Marycliff High School, and Fort Wright College; an upbringing that shaped her lifelong devotion to God, learning, and service.

Many summers were spent at the family farm in North Dakota with her sisters and cousins. Her adventurous spirit took her across the world. Her love of travel began just after college, when she embarked on her first European tour. A cherished highlight she often shared was being blessed by the Pope in 1967; a moment she carried with her always.

In 1965, Lu was recruited by Mr. Hank Gallina to teach in sunny California, bringing her and several lifelong friends to Lompoc. This marked the beginning of a remarkable 39-year career as a 5th grade teacher; a role she proudly held every single year. She taught at Hapgood Elementary School for 25 years and Los Berros Elementary School for 14 years, becoming a master of her craft and a cornerstone of the community. With her first paychecks she purchased a cherry red ‘66 Mustang that she cruised well into the late ‘80’s.

Everywhere she went, former students would approach her, each one echoing the same sentiment: she was the best teacher they ever had. Lu had a rare gift, she not only recognized faces, but remembered names. Her influence extended far beyond the over 1,200 students she taught, shaping generations with her care, discipline, humor, and unwavering belief in her students.

A lifelong learner, Lu earned her Master’s degree from the University of La Verne in 1995. She later served as an adjunct professor and recruitment liaison for the university’s teacher and counseling education department, continuing to shape future educators.

In 1967, she met her “Prince Charming,” Charles “Chuck” Knowles, at a teacher’s dance in downtown Lompoc. A handsome Airmen caught her eye and their 58-year love story began. Shortly after marrying in 1968, Chuck was deployed to the Philippines during the Vietnam War; their bond grew through love letters and cherished phone calls, until they were reunited. They celebrated their 50th anniversary surrounded by friends and family dancing the night away to some of their favorite tunes.

After the heartbreaking loss of their first child, Teresa Dionne, Lu and Chuck welcomed their daughter, Michelle “Chelle” Delise, in 1975. As a mother, Lu poured her heart into every moment—sharing her love of reading, travel, and her deep devotion to family. Summers and Christmases visiting Spokane and South Carolina, road trips with family from coast to coast and north to south, touring historic landmarks, and widening horizons exploring other cultures. She was a mom, but she was always a teacher. She was also the family genealogist. Chelle and Lu were able to visit Ellis Island and find the log with our ancestors’ passage from Odessa, Russia to the U.S. and their final destination in North Dakota. Family trips were the highlight of our small, but beautiful family of three.

Faith, family, and friendship were at the center of Lu’s life. She was a devout Roman Catholic and an active member of her community. She became treasurer of the Catholic Daughters, served as a Commissioner on the Lompoc Public Library Board and contributed to the annual Friends of the Library book sale. A lifelong reader, she built a personal library of hundreds of books and read thousands more. After beating cancer, she became an advocate for Relay for Life and fundraising for Love Will Find a Cure. Lu’s life was full of joy, tradition, and connection. She cherished weekly “Lunch Bunch” gatherings, monthly luncheons with California Retired Teachers, and her 31 years as a member of the Iota Nu Chapter of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society. As a docent at La Purísima Mission, she delighted in sharing history; rolling and firing handmade tortillas to bring the past to life for future generations.

She was a talented cook and baker, skills passed down from her own parents. Many years spent at the Spokane Club with her dad made her familiar with the tricks of the kitchen. Her specialties rose from her German roots; her tasty potato salad was a common request for gatherings. Lu was a skilled seamstress who lovingly created costumes and dresses for both her daughter and grandchildren. Her green thumb was evident in her roses, orchids, camellias, and the bougainvillea that often framed family photos.

Her adventurous spirit carried into retirement, as she and Chuck traveled extensively across Europe, North and South America, Australia, and beyond. They visited Alaska eight times and found a special home in Kauai, Hawaii. She could also boast visiting 42 states. From Guam to Russia to the Islands, and countless places in between, Lu embraced the world with curiosity and joy. She would always let it be known that Lompoc was the best place to call home.

Her favorite title was grandma. She was an integral part of her grandchildren's upbringing; she was delighted to drop them off and pick them up from school, help them with their homework, and read to them daily. She showed up for every game, performance, and milestone, no matter the weather. She volunteered as field trip chaperone, classroom helper, and family photographer, capturing moments that will now be cherished forever. Continuing the legacy, grandma and grandpa were on the summer trips to Disneyland, Palm Springs, or wherever a sporting event would take us. We are so fortunate to have made so many memories that shaped our lives from her love and care. She will continue to be our guardian angel, she so believed in hers. She passed peacefully surrounded by her family and her body is finally at peace. You are forever in our hearts and in the fabric of our being.

She is survived by her loving husband, Charles “Chuck” Knowles; her daughter, Michelle “Chelle” Townes; her grandchildren, Sydney Fisher (Alex), Mason Townes (Alexis), Gavin Townes (Cheyanne), Peyton Townes; her sisters, Kathleen Johnson (Wayne) and Linda Ann; brother-in-law, Wayne Knowles; and a wide circle of nieces, nephews, and cousins, extended family, friends, and former students who will carry her legacy forward.

Lu lived her life guided by faith and love, believing that with God, family, and friends, all things were possible. Lu’s wisdom, humor, discipline, vim and vigor will forever live on in her daughter and grandkids.

"If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden." -The Secret Garden

The celebration of her life is as follows:

Friday, May 15, 2026 from 4-7pm: Viewing and Rosary (6pm) at Starbuck Lind Mortuary.

Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 9:00am: Funeral mass will be held at La Purisima Catholic Church, with a Celebration of Life to follow at the Mission Club (4300 Clubhouse Road).

In lieu of flowers or tree donations, the family kindly asks that memorial contributions be made in her honor to a scholarship fund supporting students entering the teaching profession.

Donations may be mailed to:508 Melville Way, Lompoc, CA 93436, or sent via Venmo: @Chelle-Townes