ELIZABETH, Ill. - Mary "Penny" Knauer, age 64, of Monroe, Wisconsin, formerly of Elizabeth, Illinois, died on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at the Monroe Hospital in Monroe, Wisconsin.
Penny was born August 8, 1944 in Puyallup, Washington, the daughter of Benjamin J. and Ruth O. (Stevenson) Nichols. Penny married Dale William Knauer January 6, 1962 in Elizabeth, Illinois. The couple farmed in the Elizabeth area until retiring and moving to Monroe, Wisconsin.
The most important thing in Penny's life was raising her family. She especially enjoyed playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Penny was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Elizabeth. She enjoyed collecting angels and swans, fishing, raising plants, bowling a couple of times a week, and playing cards, mostly five hundred and euchre.
Penny will be dearly missed by her husband, Dale Knauer of Monroe, Wisconsin; two daughters, Ruth (Jeff) Balsano of Monroe, Wisconsin, and Patricia (Ron) Shumaker of Orangeville, Illinois; two sons, William Knauer of Savanna, Illinois, and John (fiancée Shannon Wolbers) Knauer of East Dubuque, Illinois; nine grandchildren, Jason (fiancée Shelly Schmid) Dunlap, Christopher (fiancée Hanna Wild) Green, Rick Shumaker, Kristina Shumaker, Kendra Shumaker, Bobby Shumaker, Hali Knauer, Shaun Knauer, and Kyle Knauer; two great-granddaughters, Bronwynn and Jennifer Dunlap; and four sisters, "Dolly" Garcia of Tacoma, Washington, Ruth Brown of Burlington, Washington, Jessie (David) McCoy of Seattle, Washington, and Ellen (Joe) Salazar of Tacoma.
Penny was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Eunice Nichols and Patricia Price; and four brothers, Arthur, David, Paul, and Richard Nichols.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Elizabeth, Illinois, with Reverend Harvey Nicholson officiating. Burial will follow in the Elizabeth Cemetery, Elizabeth. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2009, at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Elizabeth. Memorials may be given in Penny's name to the St. Paul Lutheran Church Building Fund. Online condolences and tributes may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.
Penny was born August 8, 1944 in Puyallup, Washington, the daughter of Benjamin J. and Ruth O. (Stevenson) Nichols. Penny married Dale William Knauer January 6, 1962 in Elizabeth, Illinois. The couple farmed in the Elizabeth area until retiring and moving to Monroe, Wisconsin.
The most important thing in Penny's life was raising her family. She especially enjoyed playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Penny was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Elizabeth. She enjoyed collecting angels and swans, fishing, raising plants, bowling a couple of times a week, and playing cards, mostly five hundred and euchre.
Penny will be dearly missed by her husband, Dale Knauer of Monroe, Wisconsin; two daughters, Ruth (Jeff) Balsano of Monroe, Wisconsin, and Patricia (Ron) Shumaker of Orangeville, Illinois; two sons, William Knauer of Savanna, Illinois, and John (fiancée Shannon Wolbers) Knauer of East Dubuque, Illinois; nine grandchildren, Jason (fiancée Shelly Schmid) Dunlap, Christopher (fiancée Hanna Wild) Green, Rick Shumaker, Kristina Shumaker, Kendra Shumaker, Bobby Shumaker, Hali Knauer, Shaun Knauer, and Kyle Knauer; two great-granddaughters, Bronwynn and Jennifer Dunlap; and four sisters, "Dolly" Garcia of Tacoma, Washington, Ruth Brown of Burlington, Washington, Jessie (David) McCoy of Seattle, Washington, and Ellen (Joe) Salazar of Tacoma.
Penny was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Eunice Nichols and Patricia Price; and four brothers, Arthur, David, Paul, and Richard Nichols.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Elizabeth, Illinois, with Reverend Harvey Nicholson officiating. Burial will follow in the Elizabeth Cemetery, Elizabeth. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2009, at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Elizabeth. Memorials may be given in Penny's name to the St. Paul Lutheran Church Building Fund. Online condolences and tributes may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.