Wilbert James Knope, Jr.

A lifelong Shawano resident, “JR” was born March 23, 1938 to Wilbert J. Knope, Sr. and Lillian (Grosskopf) Knope. He attended St. James Lutheran School and Shawano High School, where he was a proud member of the 1956 state championship basketball team, commemorated in the 2002 book The Boys of Winter: Wisconsin’s State Basketball Championships, 1956 & 1957 by John Davis Cantwell, MD. After high school, JR attended Badger Business School. He spent most of his career as a buyer for NEW Office Supply in Green Bay, retiring as purchasing manager. In that role, he relished the opportunity to travel the U.S., especially a trip to Hawaii.On Feb. 25, 1961, JR was united in marriage to Elaine M. Buettner and they settled on Evergreen Street in Shawano, teaching their daughters the value of hard work, pulling your weight, and maintaining a robust sense of humor. A championship bowler from his youth, JR. was inducted into the Shawano Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1989. He was a 40-year member of the American Bowling Congress. He was also an expert and avid card player, league golfer, and a proud, longtime member of the “Knope’s Canaries” softball team, who counted actor Ed Flanders among their ranks in the 1974 movie Things in Their Season, which filmed in Shawano.

JR was also a champion living room wrestling partner, a patient driveway HORSE player, and expert Santa Claus present placer while the rest of the family took their time getting home from Christmas Eve church. He was a generous supplier of quarters for the jukebox at the bowling alley and post-softball tavern. He gave Kelly true (if slightly unintended) independence in the rowboat at the cottage in Wabeno and forgave Lori when she ran him soundly into an oak tree on the back of her mini-bike. Dad gamely fetched Jeffrey, the mutt his girls spotted on a Humane Society news segment, and was a patient dad to Godfrey, the lively fox terrier daughter Lori brought home from college. In his later years, Dad’s pride and joy was Piper, a tiny stray calico kitten he spotted shivering beneath a tree in the yard and gave a truly indulgent (jumbo shrimp and vanilla ice cream!) home.

Dad was a proud Democrat, a firm believer in what is right for all, and friend to most everyone who crossed his path. He made the best Old Fashioned in the world. He was fiercely proud of his granddaughter Andria becoming a talented nurse, and helped daughter Lori purchase several accessible vans to ensure granddaughter Chelsey could enjoy the active lifestyle she loves. He and daughter Kelly spent many happy years tending to the trees and the critters in the family land called The Mooseyard. Elaine and Kelly were JR’s fiercely devoted caregivers.

Left to cherish JR’s memory are his wife Elaine; daughter Kelly Karcz and son-in-law Rick Karcz, all of Shawano; granddaughter Andria Karcz of Colorado Springs, CO.; daughter Lori Acken and son-in-law Rik Acken of Wauwatosa; granddaughters Chelsey Lundquist of Waukesha, and Katie (Joshua) Plyter of Delafield; grandsons Kendrick (Abby) Acken of Bay View and Keenan Acken of Delafield; great-grandchildren Noble Acken and Kinley Plyter; brother-in-law, Mike Buettner and wife Vicki Lore of Eureka, CA; and a wide circle of other relatives and longtime friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbert Sr. and Lillian, his infant sister Patricia, his in-laws Delmar and Erna Buettner, and his sister-in-law Carol B. Rowan.

Per his family’s wishes, no public services will be held until a later date, due to the terrible impact of the covid-19 pandemic. Condolences may be sent to Kelly Karcz, W5355 N. Shore Drive in Shawano.

Rest in peace, Dad. You fought the greatest good fight.