Genevieve Frances Knittel

Genevieve (Gen) Knittel
Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend passed peacefully on February 8, 2025.
Born Genevieve Frances Verdina December 17, 1936 to Thomas Massi and Bernice Elizabeth Verdina (Fouche) at Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento.
Gen is survived by her loving husband of almost 66 years, Merlin. Children Kerry Knittel, Kara Perez (Mauricio) and Kris Knittel. Grandchildren Samantha Rose (Justin), Thomas Knittel, Christopher Knittel (Alyssa), Joseph Spolarich, Jenna Spolarich ( Paul Hesterberg), Enrique Perez (Lily) and Kayla Perez. Great Granddaughter Bowie.
Gen grew up in downtown Sacramento, after graduating from Sacramento High School in 1956 she went to work at Sacramento County Hospital. In 1956 she met a farmer from South Dakota working at Dale's Gas Station in Sacramento. After that meeting they began to date and in 1959 they were married.
After their first born arrived Gen became a stay at home mom and had two more children. She babysat children in the neighborhood and enjoyed watching them grow.
In 1971 both Gen and Merlin both became volunteers for Fruitridge Little League on Fruitridge Rd and 65th Street in Sacramento. Gen coached a few teams for their children and held the position as the little league board's secondary for many years. She also volunteered many years at Fruitridge Little Leagues fireworks stand. She also enjoyed hosting players for Allstar tournaments as well.
After her children grew up Gen and Merlin joined Jerry and Karen Pack and volunteered for Challenger Little League. A little league for special needs children of all ages. During the Christmas seasons they would host an amazing and magical Christmas party for the Challenger players and their families at VFW Post 85 where they all were lifetime members. Gen volunteered with Challenger Little League for thirty years.
Gen also volunteered for the Eagles Aeries 9FOE on Fruitridge Road. She and Jan Dugger spent four years working in the office to keep the hall affairs in order.
In Gen's early years she enjoyed going out to the country with family and friends to pick a vehicle full of tomatoes that would be canned for future pots of spaghetti sauce. Every December Gen, Merlin, their children and eventually their grandchildren and friends would go up to Apple Hill to cut down their Christmas tree. She loved going fishing on the river and sloughs and in her later years on her pontoon boat.
Her joy was to be around her grandchildren and watch them grow to be the wonderful adults they are. She was able to meet her great granddaughter last year for the first time. She would smile a beautiful smile when she was around her little Bowie. She will be deeply missed.
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