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- Written by: Kelly Jo Ross - Breese Journal News Editor
The late Travis Knolhoff with his wife Kourtney, and daughters Averie, Sadie and Hollie. Two years after Travis Knolhoff passed away from pancreatic cancer, his family is still making sure his memory continues to make a difference — through their annual golf tournament and memorial foundation.
Last month, the Knolhoff family held their third annual Travis Knolhoff Memorial Golf Tournament at Governors Run Golf Course in Carlyle.
The tournament brought in 236 golfers, 18 tournament event level sponsors, 18 gold hole level sponsors, and many silver and individual level sponsors.
For the Knolhoff family, the tournament represents far more than a day on the golf course — it was an opportunity to turn their personal loss into hope for others.
Travis, a Breese native and a 2008 graduate of Mater Dei Catholic High School, was 33 years old when he was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. Despite his diagnosis, Travis continued fighting the disease for approximately a year, receiving treatment through Siteman Cancer Center and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
Travis died July 6, 2024, at the age of 34, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife Kourtney (Nelson), three young daughters, Averie, Hollie and Sadie, mother and father Brenda and Stewart Knolhoff, a brother Brad (Erika) and sister Kelsey (John) Hemann, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
The Travis Knolhoff Memorial Golf Tournament runs every September, celebrating and honoring the late Travis Knolhoff. Proceeds from the tournament go toward various organizations. Throughout his battle, Travis and his family experienced an outpouring of love and support from family and friends, as well as other community members and organizations.
That generosity left a lasting impression with the Knolhoff family as they looked for ways to give back while keeping Travis' memory alive.
The family hosted an inaugural golf tournament in Travis' memory in September 2024, donating over $25,000 toward local organizations.
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- Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter
Members of the Bravo Company 3/22 at Standin’ Proud Veterans Tribute Museum in Bartelso Members of Bravo Company 3/22 fourth and 25th Infantry Divisions got to see some military history on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
The Bravo Company had its reunion Tuesday through Thursday, Oct. 20-22 in St. Rose. As part of the reunion, the company took a tour of the Standin' Proud Veterans Tribute Museum in Bartelso on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The tour was led by owner Carl Huels and museum administrator Larissa Monken.
There were participants from 11 different states involved in last week's reunion.
Bravo Company 3/22 members (from left) Curtis McFarland, Mike Detmer and Ken Neveaux speak during a trip to Standin' Proud Veterans Tribute Museum in Bartelso. Photos by Matt Wilson Standin' Proud Veterans Tribute Museum is filled with historical artifacts and memorabilia from past wars and has a mission to honor and share the stories of local veterans.
The museum's main display focus is World War I, World War II and the Korean Conflict.
The tour started with Monken showing the group the "Standin' Proud" Ford truck. It is painted with names of U.S. military personnel who died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Names registered with the United States Department of Defense are the names used for the truck. 
The truck features the name of Clinton County veteran Josh Melton, who died in Iraq. The truck is the centerpiece of the museum.
Everything in the museum is connected to a local story. The tour continued with explanations of artifacts that are in the room with the truck.
The group then went into the room that features a remembrance of the Holocaust, Korean War and World War II to watch videos and documentaries.
Infantry member Mike Detmer then led a discussion that also included members Ken Neveaux and Curtis McFarland. Detmer, Neveaux and McFarland shared war stories.
