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Jeanette's Livestream Service will begin at 11 a.m. CT on Thursday, December 18, 2025. Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on "Watch Now."

DEFOREST - Jeanette G. Knowles, age 93, of DeForest, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2025, at The Legacy of DeForest. She was born on July 9, 1932, in Manitowoc, Wis., the daughter of Andrew P. and Ida A. (Grapentine) Kaufman.

Jeanette graduated from Lincoln High School, Manitowoc, Wis., where she met her future husband. She married Kenneth O. Knowles on August 22, 1952, in Dubuque, Iowa, and they were blessed with four children.

Over the years, Jean did clerical work for several different companies in Menomonie, Green Bay, Appleton and Madison. Before her retirement in 1995, she was proud to be the Administrative Assistant for Professor William Strang, UW School of Business, for over 20 yrs. Jean loved traveling with her husband and faithful companion, Bandit. They pulled their Hi-Lo RV all across the U.S. and saw many beautiful places together. She was a member of the Friends of Wyalusing State Park and a Camp Host at Wyalusing for over 10 yrs. Jean enjoyed sewing, reading, taking long walks, and watching the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, the Badgers and NASCAR. She especially enjoyed having her children at home with her.

Jean is survived by her sons, Kenneth A. (Brenda) Knowles of Wichita, Kan. and Richard (Rita) Knowles of Manitowoc, Wis.; daughters, Patricia Multerer of Poynette, Wis. and Susan Van Meter of DeForest, Wis.; seven grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Audrey Wilson; and many other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brothers, Leonard, Lloyd, Jerome and Warren Kaufman; and her sons-in-law, Steven Multerer and Chip (Virgil) Van Meter.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2025. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Monona. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be gifted in Jeanette’s name to Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Jeanette Knowles

July 09, 1932 - December 08, 2025

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