Shirley Diane Knauf

ROCKFORD – Shirley Diane Knauf, age 92, of Rockford passed away peacefully under hospice care in her home in Rockford Friday, February 14, 2025. Born in Binghamton, NY on June 26, 1932 to Fred & Halina Knauf (Wood). She spent most of her formative years through high school on a small farm on the south side of the village of Owego, NY. Her years of farm work, her display of a high degree of athleticism in and out of Owego schools, and her love of the outdoors with treks and play in a nearby glen served her well for her chosen profession of Physical Education. After graduation from Owego Free Academy in 1951, she attended Wheaton College in Illinois, graduating in 1955. After graduation there she began her PE teaching in the school system in Wisconsin Dells, WI. In her long career she taught a wide variety of athletics in elementary, middle, high and college school levels in Wisconsin and Illinois, including the University of Wisconsin, Madison where she also received a Masters Degree in Physical Education.

Shirley also plied her PE instruction skills at summer camps, with many years in particular at Camp Honey Rock in northern Wisconsin under the aegis of Wheaton College. She was an ardent environmentalist and for several summers she was a co-director of the environmental program at the Pecatonica Forest Preserve near Rockford.

She was blessed with a rich contralto voice which she often exhibited a soloist as a long-time member of both the Rockford Bach Chamber Choir and the Bethesda Covenant Church Choir and at numerous other venues.

Shirley had an avid interest in Israel's biblical history and related prophecy. She was elated to be able to travel to biblical sites in Turkey and Israel. She fully enjoyed the fellowship of close friends who joined her in bible study and canasta groups and other activities which she continued in actively up to the recent past. In her last years, with her mobility limited, she took pleasure watching Christian TV channels and old Westerns among others.

She is survived by her brother, F. Charles "Chuck" Knauf; many nieces and nephews; as well as numerous great and great great nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents, Fred & Halina Knauf (Wood); and sisters, Helen Knauf Taylor and Eunice Knauf Combs.

Celebration of Life Memorial held in Rockford to be announced. Cremation rites accorded. Interment of cremains held in Evergreen Cemetery, Owego, NY to be announced. Christenson Funeral home is assisting with arrangements. In memory of Shirley, please consider a donation to the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Ctr. www.mendelssohnpac.org

www.rockfordfunerals.com