Ann Marie Knuffman
Ann Marie Knuffman, age 65, of 1331 Hamann Lane, died peacefully on Thursday, August 20, 2015 at 8:15 PM in her home surrounded by her family. She was born on February 14, 1950 in Quincy, the daughter of Henry J. & Marilyn (Cheney) Holtschlag. Ann was a graduate of St. Rose Grade School, Notre Dame High School and Quincy College. She married Marvin Edward Knuffman on November 20, 1971 in St. Rose Catholic Church. He survives.
She was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church.
Ann was an elementary school teacher in Quincy for more than 20 years. She taught at St. Peter, St. John, All Saints, and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Schools.
Known for her vibrant smile, tremendous faith, and kind spirit, Ann was active with Quincy Cursillo, Ladies of St. Francis, the St. Francis choir, and was a former director of Birthright. Ann was passionate about her family, sharing the bounty of her garden, sewing, cooking, and the latest computer technology. Ann touched countless lives with her gift of making everyone she encountered feel special and loved.
In addition to her husband, she is also survived by:
FOUR CHILDREN: Dr. Jason E. Knuffman and his wife Rebecca of Quincy; Jennifer A. Bettis and her husband Chad of Springfield, IL; Brenton J. Knuffman and his wife Lekha of Gaithersburg, MD; and Laura E. Knuffman of Chicago, IL.
SEVEN GRANDCHILDREN: Hana, Heidi, Caroline and Catherine Knuffman; Taylor Bettis, Wolf and Freya Knuffman.
A BROTHER: David J. Holtschlag and his wife Margaret.
Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.
Ann was preceded in death by her father: Henry J. Holtschlag and her mother: Marilyn Lester.
A Memorial mass will be held on Friday, August 28, 2015 at 6:00 PM in St. Francis Catholic Church. A Memorial visitation will be held at the church from 3:00 PM until the time of the services. Memorials may be made to St. Francis Parish Center or the Unity Point Hospice.
Dear family of Ann Knuffman,
I extend my sympathy to you on the death of Ann. I always appreciated her precious smile, kindness, and graciousness when I met her at St. Francis or elsewhere in Quincy. I will remember her and all of you in my prayers. May she enjoy her new life with God. Sister JoAn Schullian
Marvin,
I knew Ann Marie from grade school, high school, and college. I performed in the band at your wedding reception. Ann was a very special person. We somehow managed to run in to each other whenever I was in Quincy. She was always a Light of Christ. Her smile was contagious. Her faith was so strong. She was always upbeat. I will never forget her. My sympathy and condolences to you and your family
Marvin and Family, Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Lloyd Quincy and Family
Jennifer – Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. Your Mom lived life to the fullest and was always a joy to be around with her energetic, bouncy, happy attitude and smile. We were fortunate to have crossed paths with Ann.
Ann and Marvin have, over the years, kept appearing in various events in my life, always with her smile. She was always a blessing for those events.
My memories of Ann are from Cursillio. “warm and dear, welcoming” thinking of her, I think of my own dear mother. I too picked strawberries with mom. my prayers are with you all at your loss. God Bless you.
Dear Marvin, Jason, Jennifer, Brenton, and Laura:
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your mother was a wonderful person, a great teacher, and and even better mom and wife.
I will pray that HE gives you the strength you need in the days ahead and that HE will fill your hearts and minds with only great memories of her. God Bless
And death shall have no dominion.
Dead men naked they shall be one
With the man in the wind and the west moon;
When their bones are picked clean and the clean bones gone,
They shall have stars at elbow and foot;
Though they go mad they shall be sane,
Though they sink through the sea they shall rise again;
Though lovers be lost love shall not;
And death shall have no dominion.
And death shall have no dominion.
Under the windings of the sea
They lying long shall not die windily;
Twisting on racks when sinews give way,
Strapped to a wheel, yet they shall not break;
Faith in their hands shall snap in two,
And the unicorn evils run them through;
Split all ends up they shan’t crack;
And death shall have no dominion.
And death shall have no dominion.
No more may gulls cry at their ears
Or waves break loud on the seashores;
Where blew a flower may a flower no more
Lift its head to the blows of the rain;
Though they be mad and dead as nails,
Heads of the characters hammer through daisies;
Break in the sun till the sun breaks down,
And death shall have no dominion. Blessed Be Ann, you are truely a beautiful person and will be missed.
I will miss Ann’s smile, as each time I saw her – she would greet me with a hug and share lots of wonderful family stories to bring me up to date. I will miss her sweet smiles and kind heart.
To Jason, Rebecca, and the whole Knuffman family,
We are so sorry for your loss. We extend our sincerest condolences. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Dave, Fran Ortmeier, and family
Ann touched many Cursillistas from our community in Southeast Iowa. Eternal rest grant unto her Oh Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her!
Dear Marvin and family, thirty years ago, God decided to gift my life by intersecting it with Annâ��s. I was invited to join an already formed Cursillio Group Reunion with Ann and other amazing faith filled, authentically loving, honest and full of mercy women. I know I owe by continued vocation to Dominican consecrated life, in part, to their welcome of me at that time. To this day, Ann’s courage, palpable faith, and integrity continue to teach me and call me to be all I can be in response to the God who calls us to be God’s own face to others. For “this is who Ann has always been” God’s face to us. You have my promise of prayer and know your hearts are held in their hurting. Love, Sr. Elyse Marie
My prayers are with Ann’s family. Ann was such a special person and always had a smile on her face. My children remember picking strawberries with Ann and always said what a sweet person she was after talking with her. Earth lost a very special angel, and Heaven gained a very special angel.
My deepest sympathies and condolences to the Knuffman family on Ann’s passing. I was blessed to get to know her from my days @ St. Louis University with her oldest son Jason. Mrs. Knuffman and her family graciously hosted me at their home several times during those college years. She always made it feel like a “home away from home.” I will always remember her as such a positive and welcoming person.
I have fond memories of being in Mrs. Knuffman’s 3rd grade class at St Peters. Always a smile on her face! My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Her beautiful smile, gentle words and caring attitude towards all, Ann will be terribly missed. Thank you Lord for sharing her with us. May she now rest in peace.
Ann was one of the dearest, kindest people I have ever known. She could turn any negative into a positive and was such a warm, happy, and giving person. We have lost a beautiful soul. Marvin, Jason, and all of you have my condolences. She will be missed.
The world is not as bright without Ann. The thing that I will always remember about her was her bright genuine smile. My prayers are with you, her family.
Marvin and Family – I am sorry for your loss – I wish you peace
My heart is very heavy at the loss of a very blessed and special woman who touched the lives of SO many people — you are now a beautiful angel in heaven — thoughts and prayers to family
I will miss Ann’s smile, our talks, and her gentle ways. She was one great lady.
So sorry to hear of Ann’s passing, she’s been in my prayers. Beautiful soul, know she is so thrilled to be with her savior now. Her faith made her such a light to others and gave her so much happiness.
Dear Knuffman family, what a great lost to you all, I remember Ann and her brother at St. Rose school, and remember many times going to their father strawberry farm with the nuns at St. Rose picking strawberry’s. What a nice family, and how I remember Henry too, God Bless her soul, and I will have a mass said at Historic St. Rose for her and the family, Paul
Ann meant a lot to my family. We will never forget our strawberry picking adventures or her computer classes and swat team. She was a true friend and she will be missed. I’m sure God has a special seat for her in Heaven. Your family is in our prayers.
Jennifer,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May you find peace and comfort in the memories you hold! Your mom was a precious lady!
It saddens my heart to hear of Ann’s passing. She was truly a beautiful person inside and out.. Her smile could brighten anyone’s day and light up the room. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Heaven just gained another angel. Rest in peace Ann. God Bless.
Such a sweet soul! Always had a smile on her face and a friendly voice asking “how have you been?” Heaven gained a wonderful angel! Prayers to the family!!
Offering sincere condolences to the family and friends. May you allow yourselves to be comforted by the wonderful promises our Heavenly Father guarantees will soon come about. (Rev.21:4,5)
I knew Ann from choir . She was a great person. She will be missed.