Karen A. Knitt, age 81 of the Town of Dupont, Waupaca County passed away Thursday evening, July 2, 2026 at the ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah.
Karen Ann DeBaker was born on August 28, 1944 in Shawano as the daughter of the late Albert and Cora (Brunner) DeBaker. She grew up in Leopolis and graduated from Marion High School in 1963. Karen went to Cosmetology School in Green Bay where she graduated in 1964. She was united in marriage to Thomas “Tooley” Knitt and the couple had 3 sons and later divorced. In 1965 Karen moved to Marion and later to the farm in the Town of Dupont where she enjoyed taking care of her beautiful gardens. She spent her Beautician career working at Cinderella Salon in Marion alongside what would become some of her best friends. Towards the end of her career she worked with her dear friend Polly at many area nursing homes. They referred affectionately to each other as Linda and Clara. Karen was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marion and played drums in the local parades for the Marion Minute Men. She had a knack for decorating both at the salon and at home; especially when it came to the holidays. Karen made the best soup, looked forward to her afternoon martini’s, loved her 3 boys fiercely, and could play a mean game of sheephead, smear, cribbage, and solitaire.
Missed by those loving her the most include:
Her Sons: Craig, Curt (Jill Grogan), and Paul “Lumpy” (Angela Jankowski) Knitt.
Grandchildren: Grace “Willis” (Owen Nelson) Kriewaldt, Gracie & Collin “Chet” Grogan.
Family Friend: Brook.
Also numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Cora DeBaker, ex-husband Tom Knitt, brothers Eugene (Rena) and Joe (Diane) DeBaker, a sister Pat (Pete) Hoffman, father-in-law and mother-in-law Alfred and Myrtle Knitt, brothers-in-law Bill (Shirley), Jim (Dee), and John (Laura “Irene”) Knitt, as well as many lifelong close friends.
A Christian Mass will be held for Karen on Friday, July 10, 2026 at 11am at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marion with Fr. Mark Rydell officiating. Inurnment will take place at Trinity-St. John’s Cemetery in the Town of Dupont at a later date. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 10am until the time of the service. Her family would like to give special thanks to the staff at ThedaCare New London and Neenah; especially in the ICU as well as to all who loved and cared for her throughout her life. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Marion is assisting her family. www.eberhardtstevenson.com
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