On May 17, 2016, Jesus took Elvera M. Kniess, age 94, home to be with Him in Heaven. She died at Woodland Court Elder Services in Merrill, where she had been a resident for the past nine years. She was under Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.
Elvera was born on June 27, 1921, in the Town of Maine, to the late Wilbert and Helene (Fuhrman) Kufahl. She was baptized on July 24, 1921 at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church, Town of Maine, by Pastor J. J. Meyer. She was also confirmed there on April 12, 1935, by Pastor Emil Zaremba. On September 23, 1939, she married Clifford Kniess at the same church. He preceded her in death on June 2, 1988.
While her children were growing up, Elvera was a stay-at-home, loving mom. Prior to her retirement, Elvera had been employed at the pea viners during the summer. Then she worked at Larson Dry Cleaners in Wausau, the Merrill Woolen Mills, and cleaning at Schmidt’s Ballroom.
Elvera and Clifford enjoyed going to dances, she also loved to sew and embroider. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. With her Alzheimer’s, Elvera didn’t get to enjoy her great-great-grandchildren.
She was a member of First English Lutheran Church for many years. She was a greeter, belonged to the Friendly Neighbors Group and helped make quilts. When Elvera moved to Merrill, she became a member of Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church, in the Town of Berlin, where her two children are members.
Survivors include her daughter, Jalaine (Earl) Woller and her son, Gerald Kniess, both of Merrill; grandchildren, Dean (Linda) Woller, Merrill, Todd (Lana) Woller, Pleasant Prairie, WI, Lisa Koenig, Green Bay, Jon (Lynn) Woller, Merrill, Kent (Tami) Woller, Belleville, WI, Paul Kniess Neumann, Merrill, Margaret (Michael) Sczygelski, Merrill, Helen Kniess, Merrill and Emily (Allen) Kuehl, Mankato, MN; granddaughter-in-law, Dawn (Victor) Soczka; step granddaughter, Loria (Scott) Bouche; great-grandchildren, Christopher, Jeremy, and Matthew (Jaclyn) Woller; Jesse Woller, Wendy (James) Lustig and Luke Woller; Diana (Steven) Miick and Marshall Woller; Noah (Jennifer) Koenig and Mitchell Koenig; Katie (Carl) Wirth and Krista Woller; MiAnna, Bianca, Lindsey and Alan Woller; Jered Kniess, Jacob and Hannah Sczygelski; and Danika Kuehl; and step great-grandson, Sergei Bouche. Elvera is further survived by her great-great-grandchildren, Kenzie, Jackson and Parker Woller, Sawyer Wirth, Oliver and Arya Koenig, and a little girl due in August; one sister, Marion Koenig, Bull Shoals, AR; sister-in-law, Dela Kniess; and many nieces and nephews.
Elvera was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clifford; infant son, Rodney; son-in-law, Gordon Woller; daughter-in-law, Laura Kniess; grandson, Craig Woller; great-granddaughter, Angela Woller; sisters, Delores (Victor) Woller and Adeline (Lawrence) Neumann; brothers, Robert Kufahl and Charles (Dorothy) Kufahl; brothers-in-law, Robert Koenig, Roman (Florence and Margorie) Kniess, Reno (Arlene and Leona) Kniess and Willard Kniess; and sister-in-law, Leona (Carl) Bahr.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, May 21, 2016, at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church, Town of Berlin, with Pastor Jeffrey Schmidt officiating. Burial will take place in Berlin Cemetery, Town of Berlin. Visitation will begin at 9:00 A.M. Saturday at the church. The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, is assisting the family with arrangements.
The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to Missi and the staff, especially Cindy Waldburger, at Woodland Court for all the loving care given Elvera the nine years she resided there. Also to Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services for all they did to keep her comfortable and to Pastor Schmidt for his visits.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Woodland Court Elder Services, Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services, the Alzheimer’s Association, or Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church, Town of Berlin, Merrill.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com