Ophelia H. Knaup, age 93, of Tigerton passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at Greentree Health & Rehabilitation Center, Clintonville.
The former Ophelia Henrietta Steinke was born on October 21, 1927 in Bowler to William and Ida Mae (Heinz) Steinke. As a young girl, her family moved to Tigerton and then to Breaker Road in the Town of Germania, Shawano County. She attended Comet Grade School and graduated from Tigerton High School in 1945. Ophelia worked for close to 30 years on a potato farm in Rosholt. Then she was employed for a short time at Del Monte Foods in Plover; and she dairy farmed for the rest of her life. Ophelia was united in marriage on June 15, 1946 to Kenneth Knaup at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Tigerton. The couple were blessed with eleven children and her husband preceded her in death December 11, 1975.
Ophelia was a longtime member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, where she served for many years with countless PCCW projects and she helped count the collection monies each week. She enjoyed completing jig saw puzzles and word find books. But most of all, Ophelia loved spending time with her family and getting hugs from all the grandkids.
Survivors include eight children: Robert (Vicki) Knaup of Tigerton, Mary (Mike) Verkuilen of Wittenberg, Jim (Linda) Knaup of Wittenberg, Jack (Kathy) Knaup of Tigerton, Carol Knaup of Tigerton, Tom (Janice) Knaup of Tigerton, Kevin (Janet) Knaup of Clintonville, and Karen (J.R.) Verkuilen of Wittenberg. There are 40 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, and many great-great grandchildren. She is further survived by a daughter-in-law, Stephanie (Mike) Wellman of Abbotsford; a son-in-law, Mike (Mary) Desrochers of Marion; a sister-in-law, Margaret Larson of Iola; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Ophelia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Kenneth; two sons, Brian in 1997 and Benedict in 2003; one daughter, June Desrochers in 2013; seven grandchildren; and a daughter-in-law, Lenora Knaup. She was further preceded by four half-sisters, infant Dorothy Steinke, Florence Steinke, Mildred Breck, and Hilda Breck; and six half-brothers, Irvin Steinke, Hugo Bowe, Wilbur Bowe, Leonard Breck, Arthur Steinke, and Harold Steinke.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 5th at 12:00 Noon at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Tigerton. Fr. Matthew Settle will officiate and burial will follow at Union Cemetery, Tigerton. Visitation will be on Saturday from 10:00 AM until time of mass at the church. Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Tigerton, is assisting with the arrangements. Please go to www.beil-didier.com to sign the online guestbook or to leave a condolence to the family.
We wish to especially thank all the nurses and staff at Greentree Health & Rehabilitation for the wonderful care provided to Mom.
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