Jean Marie Knickmeyer
April 04, 1926 - January 19, 2019
Obituary
PRIAIRE DU SAC- Jean Marie (Kelly) Knickmeyer – Jean met her Lord and was reunited with her family on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. Jean was born on Easter, April 4, 1926, to Earl and Gertrude (Klein) Kelly. She graduated from East High School in 1944 and graduated from the University of Marquette-Dental Hygiene in 1946. Jean married her high school sweetheart, Wayne Louis Knickmeyer on Nov. 24, 1948. Jean and Wayne made their home in Madison on Lake Waubesa for more than 60 years. They were blessed with two sons, Jim and Bill.
Jean’s first job was for Dr. Everett Johnson in the Tenney Building on the Square in Madison. She later worked for Dr. Bill Plummer and then Dr. Mark Kellogg in Oregon for many years. After retiring from full-time hygiene, Jean especially enjoyed filling in at hygiene for her son, Bill’s dental office. Jean moved to the Prairie du Sac area in 2013, living at The Pines Assisted Living where she made so many friends.
Jean was known for her unselfish love, both for her family and for her dear friends and neighbors. She had a wonderful sense of humor. She loved to travel: pyramids of Egypt, hot air balloon ride over parts of Kenya, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, England, Scotland, Wales, but most loved, Ireland. She spent many winters in Sanford, Florida, enjoyed reading, spending time at Pineland Campground, and was a volunteer at St. Mary’s for more than 30 years, primarily in the Gift Shop. Jean was a past president of the St. Mary’s Auxiliary.
Jean will be missed by her two daughters-in-law, Mary Knickmeyer and Donna Knickmeyer; three grandchildren, Adam (Nicole) Knickmeyer, Jamie (Josef) Mueller, and Kelly (Juan) Ramirez; and seven great grandchildren, Ella and Ben Knickmeyer, James, Juliana and Jordan Mueller, and Mason and Emily Ramirez.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wayne; sons, Jim and Bill; grandson, Ryan; twin granddaughters; brother, Jim Kelly; father-and mother-in-law, Louie and Della Knickmeyer; and close friend, Don Parnell.
A Funeral Service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 12 Noon, on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019. A visitation will be held a
the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.
Jean’s family would like to thank Deb Pete, Amanda Holby, and the wonderful staff at The Pines for their friendship and great care of Jean and also Agrace HospiceCare.
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields,
and Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
An Irish Blessing
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Dr.
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Fri Jan 25, 2019 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Service
Fri Jan 25, 2019 @ 12:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
Memories
RL
Ray and Madeline Laufenberg
Other •
We were so sorry to hear of Jean's passing. Ray and I worked with Jean as volunteers at St. Mary's hospital. She was so helpful when we started volunteering and we had so much fun visiting with her and trying to solve the problems of the day. She always had a smile on her face. She shared stories of her family and of her trips down south. When we read of the death of her two sons, we were able to relate to the loss since we also lost two adult children . We met up with Jean at one of the festivals in Prairie du Sac and had a nice visit. At that time she was with one of her sons.
We know she has joined her family and has the peace she deserves.
Our condolences to her family and we know she will always be remembered.
Thank you Jean, for many good memories.
JK
Jill Krantz
Other •
Our sympathy to all. May you always hold the many wonderful memories close to your hearts. We pray for comfort and strength for your family.
Jim Rowe and family (Oregon WI)
SB
Sandra P Bryant
Other •
My condolences to the family. Jean was an amazing woman. I always enjoyed my visits to Sanford with her and my dad. Loved hearing about all her travels. She will always have a special place in my heart. Sandra P. Bryant
PW
Patty Webb
Other •
So many memories of you being in Don’s and our neighborhood family in Sanford FL- we love and miss you but safe travels to a better life n heaven!! Such a wonderful lady! I still remember how nice and clean you kept that little home on Beardall- it was never the same after Don passed away and you weren’t there- really went downhill- but it has a new life with wonderful neighbors coming and building a new home just like your new home in heaven! Our love and sympathy to your family - Love and hugs, Ollie and Patty.
CC
Colleen Christenson
Other •
Jean was such a caring neighbor. Back in 1990, when Jean lived on Waubesa Avenue, I remember she invited our daughter, Cassy, in for waffles one morning. Cassy was only seven years old but she still remembers the incredible kindness shown by Jean.
JA
Joyce Aasen
Other •
Jean, my neighbor from long ago, met me when she was 25 and I 11 and she asked me to babysit for Jim. Bill came along a year later. She was my friend and like an older sister. The letters and cards we shared over many years and that I carefully kept from my time abroad and elsewhere will give me comfort in the coming weeks but make me cry. Jean was real, altogether just herself. She was unflappable and always calm, independent, and had more common sense and lack of pretense than anyone I have ever known. She was wry, funny, and had no sharp edges no matter what. In recent years, I told her many times she was such a good mother and lucky with all the good men in her life. She just smiled.