Ruth Knaack, 1933-2014

Published 10:11 am Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Funeral Services for Ruth “Arlene” Knaack of Glenville will be at 2 p.m. Friday at First Lutheran Church in Glenville. The Rev. James Rushton will officiate. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Glenville. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea and one hour before the service at the church.

Ruth Knaack

Arlene died on Monday, April 21, 2014, at Thorne Crest Retirement Community in Albert Lea. She was 81.

She was born on Feb. 1, 1933, in Northwood, the daughter of Julius and Ruby (Peterson) Hauge.

She graduated from Northwood High School. Following graduation she had worked at the Maid Rite shop in Lake Mills and also candled eggs in Albert Lea.

She married Richard D. Knaack on March 1, 1953, at First Lutheran Church in Glenville.

She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Glenville, where she enjoyed helping and serving at events.

Arlene and Richard raised their family and farmed in rural Glenville. She helped with chores and any other farm work as needed. She enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, collecting dishes and dolls. You could often find her reading over one of her many cookbooks.

She is survived by two sons, Allen Knaack and Dennis Knaack, both of Glenville; grandchildren Cody (Jill) Knaack and children Wyatt and Richard of Glenville, Jesse Knaack of Glenville, Jackie (Kris) Aanes and children Morgan, Piper and Hudson of Albert Lea, Michael McGuire and daughter, Kinley, of Glenville and Ashley Steene of Woden, Iowa; sisters Mavis (Elton) Beighley of Gordonsville and Mary Ann (Marvin) Thompson of Glenville; brother, LaVerne (Darlene) Hauge of Glenville; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Sharon Hauge, Genevieve Lau, Kathryn and Carroll Hanson, Janice and Jim Lembke, Palmer Peterson and Bonnie and Ron Rasmussen; and many nieces and nephews.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard, in 1991; brothers Jerome and Duane Hauge and sister, Crystal Peterson.

Arlene was the “glue” that held us together, the family “caretaker.” She was always giving and taking care of the others, putting everyone before herself. She will be greatly missed by those who loved her.