Mary J. Knaack, 76, passed away peacefully at home after a brief illness on January 10, 2023, surrounded by family.
She was born on December 19, 1946, in Cumberland, Wisconsin, to the late Elmer and Anna [Heintz] Broker/Malone. She attended school in Barron, Wisconsin, and also attended Barron County Teacher’s College in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Mary married Martin Knaack on August 10, 1968, in Baldwin’s Mill, Wisconsin. She taught second grade in Weyauwega and later returned to substitute teach for 10 years. Mary was the manager of the Fremont Citgo Travel Plaza for 25 years. She enjoyed reading and sewing blankets for Lutheran World Relief. Mary was the president of the Weyauwega VFW Auxiliary for many years. She was a member of Hope United Church of Christ in Fremont.
Survivors include daughters: Rhonda (Jay) Pieper, Ely, IA, Rachel (Aaron) Brewer, Oakwood Hills, IL, Renee (Scott) Hosket, Weyauwega; son: Ronald (Karen), Weyauwega; grandchildren: Benjamin Pieper and Jamison Hosket. Also surviving are brothers: Ervin, Turtle Lake, WI; Leroy, Turtle Lake, WI; Fred (Kathy), Rice Lake, WI; Raymond (Janice), Riverside, CA; and Clarence (Barb), Comstock, WI; sisters: Victoria Knutson, Rice Lake, WI, and Christine (Doug) Nelson, Almena, WI. She is further survived by other relatives and friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband Martin Knaack; father: Elmer Broker; mother: Anna Broker Malone; step-father: Earl Malone; brother-in-law: Roger Knutson; sisters-in-law: Bonny Broker and Sandy Broker.
Mary’s funeral service will be held on Friday, January 13, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Hope United Church of Christ in Fremont, with Rev. Nancy Zorn Micke officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Weyauwega. A visitation for Mary will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2023 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Cline-Hanson-Dahlke Life Celebration Center in Weyauwega, and on Friday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.
The family wishes to thank Krissy with ThedaCare Hospice for all of her care and support during this difficult time. Friends may visit www.dahlkefh.com to share memories and condolences with Mary’s family.