Maria Dawn Knickmeier

Knickmeier, Maria STOUGHTON-Maria Knickmeier, age 49, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011, at her home in Stoughton. Maria was born on Dec. 27, 1961, in Sauk City, the daughter of Donald and Sena(Paepke) Grauvogl. Maria and Randy Knickmeier were joined in marriage on July 27, 1985, at St. Ann Catholic Church in Stoughton. They made their life together on Randy's family farm on Hwy W while Maria also pursued a successful career in finance at Cuna and Affiliates in Madison from 1989 to 2010. While Maria's accomplishments were many, what mattered most to her was the life she shared with Randy and their daughter, Rachael. Maria, along with Randy, avidly and enthusiastically participated in the many activities Rachael embraced throughout her childhood and high school years. You could always count on seeing Maria backstage at dance, on the sidelines at softball or in the stands at volleyball happily cheering for Rachael and her teammates. Rachael, and all that she is, gave Maria the most enjoyable and memorable moments of her life. Maria enjoyed traveling and made many happy memories with Randy and Rachael, and also with her sisters on their girls' getaways, the volleyball families as they followed the Midwest Juniors and the many trips she shared with other family and friends. Maria enjoyed her flower gardens, a good game of Scrabble, a hand or two of Euchre or Cribbage, the special time she shared with her nieces and nephews, or just curling up with a good book. She was also active in volunteer work at St. Ann's School, Nazareth House and the Stoughton Senior Center. Maria loved her family and friends unconditionally and never missed an opportunity to show it. Her laugh was infectious. Hearing it made you smile and want to share the fun. Maria will be loved, missed and never forgotten by the people whose lives she touched. Maria is survived by her husband, Randy; daughter, Rachael; sisters, Gloria Small, Sheila(LeRoy)Bills, Karen(Al) Salzwedel, Donna Roidt and Tammie(David)Smithback; brother, Gregg Grauvogl; father-in-law, Wilbert Knickmeier(Margie); sisters-in-law, Kim(Jim) Tjugum and Candy(David) Sarbacker; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; mother-in-law, Shirley Knickmeier; brother, Darel Grauvogl; and nephew Kevin Grauvogl. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church, 323 N. Van Buren St., Stoughton, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, 2011, with Monsignor Gerard Healy presiding. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON STOUGHTON FUNERAL HOME, 1358 Highway 51, Stoughton, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011, and also at the church, from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Monday. I cannot let you grieve for me, For those who love must let us go. In comfort, please believe I’m free, From all the pain life can bestow, As I begin my world anew, Consider not what used to be, I’m sending happy smiles to you While I enjoy eternity. Lord, bless the home From which I came, Yet brush each lonely hour away, With fond remembrance of my name, And a sunshine for a newer day. Look to the wind to find me there, Beside the hardest thing you do. I’ve left my love within this prayer I’m always watching over you. –Author unknown Visitation will be at GUNDERSON STOUGHTON FUNERAL HOME, 1358 Highway 51, Stoughton, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011, and also at the church, from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Monday. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church, 323 N. Van Buren St., Stoughton, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, 2011, with Monsignor Gerard Healy presiding.