Ragina Kay Knedler

Ragina Kay KnedlerKnedler, Ragina

1954-2016

Ragina Kay (Woolbright) Knedler, 61 of Edmond passed away Monday, January 18, 2016. She was born December 16, 1954 in Poteau, Oklahoma to Novy R. Woolbright and Vera Jean (Butler) Woolbright.

Following graduation from Enid High School she attended Oklahoma Christian University and Phillips University, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in education. She and her husband Mike were united in marriage on August 6, 1988 in Enid, Oklahoma. They made their home in Alva for 27 years before moving to Edmond last summer.

Ragina taught music at Waukomis, Oklahoma and was the band director at Emerson Junior High in Enid for eight years. She later worked for the Alva, Oklahoma public schools and for the Burlington, Oklahoma public school where she taught music and served as the school librarian. Following retirement she served as secretary for the College Hill Church of Christ in Alva.

She will be forever remembered as a loving wife and mother. She was a gifted musician and loved books and reading. She participated in the Grow and Share home extension group in Alva where she learned to make championship cherry pies for the county fair. She was a faithful Christian woman with a loving, generous spirit and enjoyed sharing the gift of life with others.

Ragina was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Mike, of the home; her son, Blake, and daughter-in-law, Kaitlyn, of Edmond; sister, Linda Doyle and husband Matt of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; and brother, Ralph, plus several nieces and countless friends.

Visitation with the family will be Thursday evening, January 21, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Matthews Funeral Home, 601 S. Kelley in Edmond. Services to celebrate her life will be 2:00 Friday, January 22 at Memorial Road Church of Christ in Edmond, with interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family welcomes flowers or contributions to Oklahoma Christian University or Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

52 thoughts on “Ragina Kay Knedler”

  1. Kayle Costello Northcutt

    My long-time friend….oh how I am shocked and saddened. Mike and Blake, I am praying for you. Kayle

  2. Karin Dulaney Ladd

    So sorry to hear this! Ms. Woolbright as I first knew her taught me clarinet lessons and then bassoon. she tried to teach me piano, but I just couldn’t get it and we finally convinced my dad to let me quit! Praying for Mr. Knedler and family and friends! Take care and God Bless!

  3. Shocked and saddened by this news. Regina was one of my dear northwest Oklahoma band director friends – going back to her Woolbright days in Enid. Blessings of strength, comfort, and peace to Mike and Blake. Larry

  4. Mike, I am so saddened to hear about Ragina. My heartfelt prayers go out to you and your entire family. May God grant you peace and comfort at this difficult time.

  5. Jim and Vivian Reed

    So sorry to hear about Ragina. We met her through our daughter Vanessa Garvie and family. We loved her; she had such a happy smile and was certainly a child of God. Our prayers go out to you.

  6. Shirley Sears Atkinson

    Mike, My heart is broken for you and your family. I have so many sweet memories of good times with Ragina throughout high school and college. We were able to reconnect through Facebook after many years apart, and I enjoyed her accounts of all your adventures together. Know that you are in my prayers.

  7. Mike, So very sorry for you loss. I remember Ragina well from those days at Enid. Thoughts and Prayers for you and your family. So many really great memories of the gatherings of Directors, mentors, and friends during these early years for all of us. GOD BLESS AND R I P.

  8. Bob & Monica Schmidt

    Mike & Blake,
    We were so shocked to hear about Ragina. We are truly sorry and praying for your family during this hard time. She was a good friend for many years. There were lots of good memories made in Alva. Looking back, I can even laugh at all the mishaps and phone conversations we would have on the night before the fair, as we both desperately tried to finish our fair entries. What a lady!

  9. AK, Shirley Armstrong

    Mike and family…so shocked and saddened to read of Ragina passing? What a loss. The Woolbright family has been a large part of my life. Many stories could be told. Navy and Jean were so proud of their accomplishments. Ragina was such a great music instructor! Our thoughts and prayers to you and the family.

  10. Mike and Blake, I was so shocked and saddened to hear about Regina. She was such a sweet person and I loved visiting with her. She was a wonderful mother to Blake when I taught him and always shared happy news about him and how proud she was of Blake.. My heartfelt sympathy and prayers are with your family.

  11. I can’t believe Ragina is gone! She was my Mentor when I was in high school band at the Monte Vista band camp. She always laughed and always had a smile on her face! God Bless you Mike!

  12. Ed "band dad" polk

    What a GREAT lady & friend. She got our entire family involved in band.
    I told her that my “musical ability” was turning the radio on & off. She countered with, so OKAY, you can polish shoes at parades for Emerson Jr. High, put on & straighten sashes on uniforms, & help me move stuff from school to parade spot.
    When our son graduated from Emerson, she told me to go Enid High with him, & my wife could remain at Emerson with our daughter. She told me, & I was stupid enough to believe it, that the only difference in Jr. High band & High School Band was that instead of black shoe polish on my jeans leg I’d have grease & blood on them. She was RIGHT !!!
    Both my wife & I, & both of our kids OWE her a lot for getting us involved in the band programs, and thus into the BIG BLUE FAMILY .
    Tonite, “WE ARE FAMILY” takes on a whole new meaning for me.
    THANK YOU, RAGINA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    band dad

    1. Ed "band dad" polk

      YES she was. How many of us did she bring into the “Family ” of band people.
      ed

  13. Gayla Jordan

    Mike and Blake,

    I am so sorry about Ragina. This is such a shock and such a loss. She was a wonderful friend to me for many years. We spent a lot of time together when our boys were little. I will never forget all the fun times we had together. She was a blessing in my life. I will be praying for both of you.

  14. Jerry Gustafson

    Mike,

    When I heard of Ragina’s passing, it felt like a stab in the heart. My eyes are filled with tears. I can’t imagine the pain that you and Blake are going through right now. Rose and I are praying daily for you and Blake.

  15. Mike,

    I am so sorry to hear about Ragina. Our prayers go out to you and to Blake.

    Gwen Benson

  16. Mike,
    My sincerest condolence on the sudden and shocking passing of Regina. We were good friends and I will miss her smile. My prayers are with you and your family.

  17. Mike, I was shocked to hear of your wife’s passing. My families thoughts and prayers are with your family.

  18. I knew Ragina from EHS and Phillips and then we both went on to teach at Waukomis and Emerson together. I can’t begin to tell you how many laughs we shared and I know that’s how many will remember her. That alone speaks volumes about her legacy. Prayers for your family.

  19. So sorry to hear about Ragina. I always enjoyed running into her, big smile and friendly hello, a true joy to be around. Prayers for her family.

  20. Thinking of the Knedler family today, and the clarinet lessons Ragina gave my boys – always remembering to bring a little treat to the their younger brothers while we waited in the driveway outside her house. Her contributions and dedication to the band community in Enid will not be forgotten.

  21. Thank you for the music, your smile, your love and caring words. I see your name on music books and library books every day! My path took a different turn because of your positive influence. Your impact on Burlington schools will never be forgotten. Your advice to me was priceless. Who will I call now? We will miss you Ragina Knedler. My love and sympathy to Mike and Blake, Kiley

  22. Susan Holliday

    Dr. Knedler & Blake, I was so sorry to hear about Ragina’s passing. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.

  23. Jane McDermott

    Mike and Blake. My heart is breaking for you. Ragina made the world a better place. Precious memories. Love and Prayers.

  24. Cheryl Conrady

    So sorry to hear about the passing of Ragina. She is a wonderful lady who will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family during this time.

    ~Cheryl

  25. Steve and Mindi Clark

    Dr. Knedler, Blake, and Kaitlyn,

    We are so sorry for your loss. Mrs. Knedler was such a kind, loving person, and she will be missed by all who knew her. Our prayers are with you.

    Steve and Mindi Clark

  26. Mike and Blake

    Regina was a wonderful friend to me the whole time I was with her in extension club. She cared deeply for others. And she loved both of u greatly. I have been truly blessed

  27. Mike and Family,
    I am deeply saddened to learn that Ragina has passed. We are all blessed to have known her. Our warmest thoughts and most sincere prayers are with you all.

  28. I met Ragina not long after we moved here. I enjoyed the time we were together at music school and EG activities. Ragina was warm, friendly, kind and had a great sense of humor. I enjoyed seeing here around town because her joy was contagious. We are sorry for your loss and will be praying that the Holy Spirit is your constant comfort in the days ahead. Mark and Marjie Bagley

  29. Tracy (Purcell) Lewis

    Dear Mike & Family,
    I send you my condolences in the passing of a wonderful lady who was a great role model for many. You and your family will continue to be in my prayers and thoughts. I will always remember and cherish the great memories I had with Regina, especially her contagious laugh and onery grins. She will truly be missed, but never forgotten. I ask that God continue to watch over, walk beside, and carry you & your family in your time of need. Amen!

  30. I’ve known your family since I was a kid. I loved talking you at College Hill when I came back to visit. Regina was light and love incarnate.

  31. Tammy Morris Bennett

    Regina was my first band teacher at Waukomis. She was a great musician and teacher. Later in life I met her husband, Mike, when I majored in music at Northwestern. Most recently I reconnected with Regina on Facebook and enjoyed seeing their son Blake all grown up. Regina was a great lady. She will be missed a lot. Love and prayers to Mike and Blake and family

  32. Dr. Knedler and family,

    I am so very sorry to learn of Ragina’s passing. I have many fond memories of commuting with Ragina and Bob Costello to teach at Waukomis and driving the bus for many of their band trips. She touched and positively effected the lives of many students.

    Karl

  33. Dear Mike, Blake and family,
    We were so shocked and saddened at your loss. Regina was one of Ray’s good
    friends and librarian students who went on to do well at her job. As others have said she always had a smile and some thing funny to say. You, too, are one of Ray’s long time friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We miss you.
    Ray and Cherie Lau and family

  34. Kerry White McKaig

    I was very saddened to hear of Ragina’s passing. We met working together at TG&Y in Enid during my senior year of high school at Waukomis. She was a very dear friend and we shared lots of good times together through out college and after. I loved her contagious laugh and her kind, loving spirit. Praying the Lord carries and comforts all of you during this difficult time.

  35. I haven’t seen Miss Woolbright (as I knew her) in many, many years. I’m in my 40’s and I was in jr. high when I knew her – but she was my first introduction to music at Emerson Jr. High. It’s where I learned to play the clarinet and got into marching band, which became an important part of my life. I remember her as an excellent teacher, with a great love for music and kids.

    I am so very sorry for your loss. But know that even after all these years – her life had a lasting positive influence on my life and I’m sure hundreds, if not thousands, of other students’ lives.

  36. Donna Chancellor

    Mike and Blake
    What a beautiful angel heaven has!! Your loss is great I’m sure.
    Ragina taught Christy piano for years!! Your wedding was the first for Christy to be in.
    Taught Chad band at Emerson Jr High, alto sax!! Both Christy and Chad loved her. She gave so much to every child she taught!!
    So sorry for your loss!!
    Donna Chancellor

  37. Ken and Cindi

    Mike,

    Ken and I are there with you today in heart. We are just at a loss for words right now. Please know we are praying for you and your family. We are so very very sorry.

    Ken and Cindi Gunselman

  38. Steve Prewitt

    Mike,
    I am very sorry for your loss. You and yours will be in our prayers.
    Steve and Katie Prewitt

  39. I am so saddened to hear about Ragina! She was an amazing band teacher and put her all into all of her students! I still see her up at the front of the classroom at Emerson getting our attention with her “look”! She was an inspiration to so many!!! Ironically we where talking about how awesome she was on Facebook just the other night!
    Praying for her family and friends during this difficult time.

  40. Russell Ball

    So very sorry to hear this news! Ragina was always a great person with an infectious smile. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Mike.

  41. John Winters

    What a loving woman and professional educator. Her little brother Ralph and I gave her fits as juveniles. I pray that she forgave us. Rest in Peace.

  42. Dr. Knedler and family,

    So sorry to hear of your loss. As you can see from these comments, the entire community of her former students are sharing this loss with you. She was simply a wonderful teacher, friend, and mentor to so many.

    I’ve thought of her many times over the years, and I had always hoped to reconnect. She represents the best of Oklahoma, and she will be missed.

  43. Melanie Wilderman & Ted Satterfield

    Mike, our deepest sympathies. Ted and I are thinking of you and your family. May you find peace surrounded by friends and family.

    Sincerely,
    Melanie & Ted

  44. Mike and family,
    I am so sorry to hear about Ragina. She was a great gal in so many ways! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

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