Mary Knauss

Mary was born on September 16, 1931 in Ishpeming, Michigan to the late Albert and Eugenia (Mitchell) Goodney and was the valedictorian of the 1949 graduating class of Ishpeming High School.

Mary received her Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Michigan University and also held two Master’s degrees. She taught school in both Escanaba and Marquette Area Public Schools, retiring in 1988. She was a former principal of Whitman Elementary School and received the Reading Teacher of the Year award from the State of Michigan.

Mary was an active member and past president of Delta Kappa Gamma since October of 1981. She was also a member of the board of directors and past president of Child and Family Services since 1988. Mary volunteered at Beacon House for 27 years where she was named vice president of the Gratitude Department. She also volunteered years ago with Bay Cliff Health Camp in their library where she was a former camp counselor. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Marquette as well as its choir and belonged to numerous other clubs and volunteer organizations.

In her free time, Mary enjoyed spending time on Lake Beaufort while growing up and on Lake Independence with her family. She looked forward to attending her grandchildren, Sarah and Jacob’s activities. Mary was also known to be an avid reader and an excellent listener to all who knew her. She enjoyed a good game of cards as well as watching many sporting events.

She is survived by two children, Kristin (Steve) Dalgleish and Eric (Angie) Knauss, both of Marquette; two grandchildren, Sarah Garceau and Jacob Knauss; a brother, Albert (Joan) Goodney of Ishpeming and brother-in-law, Jack Knauss of Vero Beach, FL; also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death besides her parents was her husband, Thomas L. Knauss whom she married on August 1, 1953 in Ishpeming; two infant children, Gretchen and John Knauss; three grandchildren, Andy, Jesse and Benjamin Knauss; also a sister-in-law, Karen Knauss.

The Knauss family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and also on Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 120 N. Front Street, Marquette. A funeral service will be held in the church at 11 a.m. Friday with Commissioned Lay Pastor, Darryl K. Small officiating. A luncheon will take place in the church parlors immediately following the service. Mary will be laid to rest next to her husband in the Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Beacon House, 1301 N. Third St., Marquette, MI 49855 or the Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St., Marquette, MI 49855 in Mary’s memory.

Her obituary can also be viewed at canalefuneral.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.