Dolores E. Knospe

Dolores Elizabeth (Balow) Knospe, 92, of Alma, Wis., passed away peacefully on November 15, 2024, at Gundersen St. Elizabeth Health Care Center.

Dolores was born in Wabasha, Minn., on January 31, 1932, to Walter and Amelia (Binner) Balow. Dolores lived in Wabasha during the early years of her life. She graduated from St. Felix High School in 1949. After high school, she worked at Arntson Drug Store and then at the Wabasha Community Clinic as a technician. In January 1950 Dolores was honored to be crowned the Wabasha Queen at the Junior Chamber of Commerce queen contest. She met Ralph Knospe of Alma, Wis., and on September 5, 1953, they were married at St. Felix Catholic Church parsonage by Father William Anderson. To their marriage, two daughters were born: Barb and Jackie. After their wedding, the couple made their home in Park Ridge, Ill., while Ralph was serving in the Air Force. After completing his service, Dolores and Ralph moved back to his hometown of Alma, Wis. Over three decades, Dolores and Ralph worked side by side as the owners of Knospe Hardware in Alma. Later, Dolores worked for Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota as a research study coordinator, gathering valuable data for their hypertension research. She later returned to retail work helping her daughter, Barb, and son-in-law in their antique shop in Alma.

Dolores was devoted to her family. She was a talented seamstress and was able to sew many of her own and her young daughter’s clothes. One of her greatest joys was attending her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s music and sporting events. It didn't matter if it was football, basketball, volleyball, out in the heat at little league or bundled up at ice-skating shows, she would be there to support her grandchildren. Her grandchildren’s favorite memories are going to Grandma’s to sled down the big hill and the hot cocoa she prepared special for them when they came inside, taking them to play tennis and, of course, always having ice cream for them after hikes or swimming at the beach. Dolores also enjoyed listening to the “Music Under the Bridge” concerts in Wabasha with her friends and family.

She was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, PCCW Auxiliary, St. Anthony’s study club, Alma American Legion Auxiliary and a ladies Birthday Club card club. Dolores moved back to her hometown of Wabasha in 2021 where she enjoyed participating in the activities at her assisted living home.

Dolores is survived by her daughters, Barbara Stutesman of Wabasha and Jacqueline Morgan of Alma; sister Mildred Holtzman of Wabasha; brother Donald (Joyce) Balow of South St. Paul, Minn.; 9 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren. Dolores was preceded in death by her husband Ralph; her parents Walter and Amelia (Binner) Balow; brother Edwin Balow and sister Loretta Wiemann; brother-in-laws Harold Miller, Ken Wiemann and Harold (Sam) Holtzman.

A memorial gathering will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 10:00 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Alma. Burial will follow at Buffalo City Cemetery. Talbot Family Funeral Home – Scenic Rivers Cremation Center assisted the family. www.talbotfuneralhomes.com.

Memorials can be sent to the family or a charitable organization of your choice in Dolores’ memory.