Maryann Kniss

MaryAnn Kniss was born March 25, 1941, in Lena, Wisconsin, to Adolph and Julia Helena (Lepinski) Lemke. She grew up with a sister and a brother, spending her early childhood in Wisconsin before the family moved to Oregon. MaryAnn finished her education in Oregon and graduated from Corvallis High School. Being a very outgoing and friendly person, MaryAnn felt at home working as a bartender and waitress. She enjoyed meeting new people and could strike up conversation with anyone. After a time, MaryAnn decided she wanted to be a beautician, so she attended school and worked in that industry for a while, also using her people skills to her advantage. While working as a bartender at the American Legion, MaryAnn met Albert Wallace Kniss who was a fellow bartender. The two fell in love and were married on December 14, 1974. MaryAnn stepped into the role of mom to Al’s four children, and the couple soon welcomed a son of their own. MaryAnn quit working and stayed home to take care of the kids. She loved being a mom and was wonderful to all the kids, attending all of their school functions and other events. MaryAnn was quite the “Suzy Q. Homemaker”, spending her time cooking, baking, sewing clothing for the kids, and just making sure everyone had everything they needed. She also helped outside the home at the kids' schools, the churches she attended, and charities she supported. She was also very creative and crafty and loved crocheting, beading, and quilting especially. Over the years she gave quilts to just about everyone in the family. When Al passed away unexpectedly at the age of 44, MaryAnn was left to manage the family herself. Her youngest was just six years old and the other children were ages 16 and up. But MaryAnn was strong and determined and went back to work to support the kids and herself, taking work at a dry cleaner and using her sewing skills doing alterations. MaryAnn also loved nature, God’s most beautiful creation. She loved flowers of all types and colors, especially roses. Horses were her favorite animal, but she also was fond of birds and squirrels, which she loved to feed, and elephants. MaryAnn loved country music and often had it playing in the background. On August 4, 2021, MaryAnn went home to the Lord at the age of 80. She was preceded in death by her parents Adolph and Julia; her husband Albert; and her sons David and Steven. MaryAnn will be deeply missed by the family she leaves behind including her children Daniel Kniss, Alberta Oliver, and Elizabeth Ingram; and several children and great-grandchildren.MaryAnn will be laid to rest with Albert at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your charity of choice in MaryAnn's name.