Madeline Knabe Obituary
Mueller's Greenlee Funeral Home
Madeline Knabe went to be with her Lord on October 12, 2007.
She was born in Seattle, Washington to Otis and Adeline Shaw and was big sister to Bernie (Marlene), Bud (Margaret), Gilbert (Neva) and Lenore (Jim).
Mom married the love of her life, Paul, and they settled in Everett, Washington, where they raised eleven children. During this time, Mom and Dad were founding members of St. Mary Magdalen, and their home was the gathering place for many submariners stationed in Bremerton and also the place all the neighbor kids loved to visit.
Mom's love of children led her to start a daycare to support her family after Dad died in 1976.
In 1980, she moved two of the younger children to Kennewick, Washington, to be near her family, and she started a daycare in an area where she was not known. Very quickly, her services were held in very high esteem as she affected literally hundreds of kids' lives with her loving care and infectious giggle.
She couldn't go anywhere without hearing a child call out to 'Grandma.' It was her biggest joy.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Otis and Adeline Shaw; husband, Paul; sister, Lenore; and son, Michael.
She leaves behind her children, Teresa Knabe, Patti (Dan) Japhet, Paul Knabe, Diane Austin, Rick (Lisa) Knabe, Kathleen (Phil) Murray, John Knabe, Jackie (Les) Hernandez, James Knabe and Mary (David) Deanovic; 30 grandchildren, Jason, Bill, Christa, Jason Henry, Stephanie; David, Justin, Bryan, Laura; Jennifer, Paul Daniel, Yvonne, Madeline; Michael, Zachary; Ashley, Joshua; Stephanie, Brian, Jake, Angie; Johnnie, Taylor, Alisha, Nicole; Amanda, Ashley; Nicholas, Alison and Elijah.
She also leaves behind 28 great-grandchildren, hundreds of daycare kids, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews whom she adored and very special life-long friends.
Even in the grips of Alzheimer's, mom never lost her radiant smile or her wit, and kept her visitors amazed by her continued love of life and humor.
In celebration of Madeline's life a Mass will be held October 19, 2007, at 2 p.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 1320 W. Henry in Pasco, Washington. Following the Mass, a gathering to share memories of Madeline will be held at the church.
The family will forever thank the extremely loving and caring staff of Tri-Cities Retirement Inn and Tri-Cities Chaplaincy at Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer's Association, ATTN: Development Dept., 12721-30th Ave. NE, Ste. 101 in Seattle, Washington 98125 or online at www.-alzwa.org/donate.htm.
The family invites you to sign their on-line guest book at www. muellersfuneralhomes.com. Mueller's Greenlee Funeral Home in Pasco is in charge of the arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jackie (Whitney) Blackburn
November 13, 2007
I will be forever grateful to "Grandma Knabe".
(She cared for my sons and neice) She believed children should be children while they can. Unlike so many daycares today,she felt the rest of their lives would be spent in structured situations and that her job was to give the love and nurturing that their mom's would give if they were able to be with them. She loved every child under her care like her own and they loved her in return. Everytime I came to pick up my sons she had a child or two on her lap.
This beautiful spirit has gone home to be with her Lord now and to be held on her Fathers lap. I look forward to seeing her beautiful smile again someday.
Debbie (Rogers) Sawatzky
October 24, 2007
Madeline was like my second Mom. I will always have a place in my heart and memory for her. I will will always remember her laugh. Many great times were spent with the Knabe family.
Sandy Lee (McClellan)
October 22, 2007
No matter how far apart we were you were always in my thoughts. I am so proud to have been given the privilege to call you Mom. To the whole Knabe family my deepest sympathy go out to you. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers. Your Mom met more to me than I could ever express through words.
Christa Newland
October 21, 2007
No
matter the time or miles apart, Madeline always welcomed me into her
arms and heart. As a young teenager I awed at her charisma and enjoyed
all her words of wisdom. My thoughts and prayers for all who were touched by her presence.
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Randi Haugen Gilbertson
October 20, 2007
Many many memories,a very sad day that I wished had not come.All we have now are those wonderful memories and that will have to be enough.Thinking of you all.Love Randi Jo
Angela Pioli
October 18, 2007
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Your mother was a super mom in everyone's eyes and her passing is a loss to all.
Georgianna Stonestreet
October 17, 2007
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bonnie Haugen
October 17, 2007
Madeline was my best friend. Over the years we have shared so much raising our families. Everyone was always welcome at her house, the coffee pot was always on.
My mom, Granny Campbell, fell out of a tree trying to rescue her parakeet and ended up in the hospital with a concussion. When she came home, Madeline went down with the kids to see her. Buddy, who was about five years old, looked around her bed and said "hey, where's your baby?" He thought she had been cheated by the hospital because his mom ALWAYS brought home a baby.
Roger and I spent many evenings at their house playing scrabble and dirty marbles. He and Paul were dear friends....When she moved to Kennewick after Paul died, I missed her terribly, but she would come over and a bunch of us old neighbors would get together for lunch and laughs.
I just wish there were more Madelines in the world. She was so very very special and will be deeply deeply missed. Hugs to the entire family.
Scott Petersen
October 17, 2007
My deepest sorrow goes out to the entire Knabe family. When I think of Madeline I can’t help but to smile. I can still remember the first time my twin brother Steve and I went to Madeline’s for daycare, we were in the first grade and she welcomed us with open arms and was so happy to have a set of twins. I can’t remember how many years she watched over us as it was a few but can recall more happy times at her house than most other childhood memories. She had a sand box big enough to make the biggest of big kids happy for hours and an endless amount of toys to play with. Naptime was always at twelve when her best friend would come over and the two would watch “Days of Our Lives” together. Even now I smile and think of Madeline whenever I see a soap opera on.
So many happy Sunday mornings all the way up through High School we’d sit together for breakfast after church and I’d fill her in on my week as she would recall the younger days watching over us at daycare. The smile she had seeing Steve and I being confirmed gave everyone around her joy. I still have the St. Christopher medal she gave me hanging in my car today.
Madeline wasn’t just anyone; she was a blessing to hundreds of kids and their families that walked through her front door over the years, to those around her at church and too every stranger she met on the street. She is and forever will be a blessed soul that I will not soon forget. Madeline is now free, happy as ever seated at the right hand of the father getting reacquainted with loved ones. God Bless you Grandma Madeline and God Bless the Knabe Family.
Heartfelt Regards,
Jennifer Ayres (Shaw)
October 15, 2007
I have so many wonderful memories of my Beautiful Aunt Madeline. I spent alot of time as a child with her and admired her strength and courage. As a mother of 2, I cannot imagine what it was like with 10. But I can say she was a great role model for me as I raise my children. I will forever miss listening to Kenny Rogers music in her Chevelle, hearing all the local excitement on her scanner, eating her wonderful "tea ring" and seeing her beautiful smile.. To all my beloved cousins, my sympathy to you, but you can bet Aunt Lenore, Aunt Madeline and my mom are doing the chicken dance on a table in Heaven as we speak..
I love you All
Sharol Westover
October 15, 2007
My condolences to the Knabe family. Our families were neighbors and friends for years. I remember the big, ever expanding, house out by Murphys corner. What fun we use to have running through the addition. I lost my Mom, Modesta, last year so I know what you are all going through. My thoughts are with you all.
Mary Deanovic (Knabe)
October 13, 2007
My mother is so much more than what was so briefly said here. She was a loving mother of 10 children, a loyal friend to so many, a woman who will forever be in my heart and thoughts as I raise my own children. But most important of all, she had a relationship with Jesus Christ and her faith is what led her home to be with the Lord. She was surrounded by love and laughter and song in her last days and she will be missed. Let us all honor her memory and smile that she is home now for eternity.
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1608 West Court Street, Pasco, WA 99301
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