Thomas E. Knab

Thomas E. Knab, 96, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Cardinal Ridge Residential Care, Sturgeon Bay, WI.
He was born on October 18, 1929 in Milwaukee, WI to the son of Charles and Florence Knab.
In 1943, Tom graduated from St. Monica Grade School in Whitefish Bay, WI. He graduated from Marquette University High School in 1947. He earned a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in 1951 from Marquette University and graduated from Marquette Law School in 1954. He began his practice of law in Manitowoc, WI.
On August 27, 1955, Tom married Ann Pauly in Manitowoc, WI.

Beginning in 1954, Tom began practicing law in Manitowoc, WI, practicing law for forty-four years. In 1994, he began his association with the Milwaukee law firm of Whyte, Hirschboeck & Dudek when the Milwaukee law firm purchased his law practice. He remained with the firm until his retirement in 1998.
Tom was a founding member of the Manitowoc County Bank as the Bank opened in 1964. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors, he acted as legal counsel. He also was involved in the title insurance business and owned his own title insurance company in Manitowoc, WI.
During Tom's professional career, he was a member of the Wisconsin Bar Association, the Manitowoc Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He was active at the Manitowoc Senior Center advising the elderly on legal matters. He was also a member of Sacred Heart Church, the Elks Club, the B & B Club, and Branch River Country Club. Tom was a member of Horseshoe Bay Country Club for many years. His retirement summers were spent playing golf with his buddies at Horseshoe Bay Country Club.

Beginning in 1977, Ann and Tom spent their summers in Egg Harbor, WI. In 1998, Ann and Tom moved full-time to Egg Harbor, WI when Tom retired from practicing law. Tom was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Sturgeon Bay, WI. Ann and Tom's retirement years were also spent traveling and spending the winter months in Tucson, AZ.

Tom's story would not be complete without mentioning that he was a man of many interests. He was a history buff, voracious reader, faithful Marquette basketball fan, strong supporter of the arts, tennis player, golfer, skier and bridge player. Tom was determined to make the world a better place and he left a strong legacy.
Tom is survived by his daughter, Barbara McKenzie, of Evanston, IL; and his son, Tom (Nancy), of Marana, AZ; three grandchildren, Katherine Schneider (Ted) of Bronx, NY, Christina Teichroew (Jacob), of Bronx, NY, Henry Fordney (Leah), of Evanston, IL, four great-grandchildren, Jonah, Avi, Winston and Rosalind; and two nieces, Mary Louise Hatten, of Weston, MA, and Roberta Piccoli, of Brooklyn, NY.

He was preceded in death by his spouse, Ann Knab; a special friend, Pam Marsh; parents, Charles and Florence Knab; and his sister, Elizabeth Piccoli.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Sturgeon Bay, WI at 11:00 am with Father Matthew Rappl officiating the Mass. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:30 am until 10:45 am prior to Mass at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Tom's memory to Cardinal Ridge Residential Care, Sturgeon Bay, WI and Unity Hospice and Palliative Care, Green Bay, WI. The family especially thanks Kristin, Laura and all members of the Unity Hospice staff; Amy, Shelly, Tammy and all members of the Cardinal Ridge staff; and Dr. Richard Hogan M.D. and all members of the Door County Medical Center staff for providing outstanding care to Tom during the last eight months of his life.
Huehns Funeral Home, Inc. & Door County Crematory LLC in Sturgeon Bay are assisting the Knab family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Tom may be shared with his family through his tribute page at HuehnsFuneralHome.com.