Virjean M. Knauf

Virjean Marie Knauf, 84, of Marathon, passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at Mount View Care Center, Wausau, after a courageous battle with cancer.  She was born July 24, 1938, to Henry and Marie (Imhoff) Furger in Wausau.  On May 2, 1959, she married Robert Knauf at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, town of Cassel.  They shared 63 blessed years of marriage.

After high school, Virjean worked for a short time at Employers Mutual.  After marriage, she became a full-time homemaker, and was a devoted wife and loving mother.  She spoke often of being blessed with wonderful children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Virjean and Robert enjoyed camping, fishing, biking, gathering with friends to play cards, and travelling. They travelled all 50 states, Canada, and enjoyed several trips to Europe.  Many warm memories were made with all the family during camping and fishing outings up north.  Virjean also enjoyed gardening, especially flowers.

Survivors include her husband, Robert; three sons, Daniel (Jane), Donald (Lori), and Andrew (Susie); seven grandchildren, David (Vanessa) Knauf, Stefanie (Aaron) Gander, Angela (Nick) Collins, Travis Knauf, Tyler (Danielle) Knauf, Haley Knauf, and Alyssa Knauf; two step-grandchildren, Kristin Moore and Jason (Becca) Moore; and great-grandchildren, Allie, Lucas, and Owen Gander, Olivia Knauf, and Everette Knauf.

Virjean is further survived by her sister, Mary (Fran Arndt) Hermes; three brothers, Laverne Furger, Norman (Sally) Furger, Randy (Cindy Steinke) Furger; sister-in-law, Pat Furger; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Marie Furger; brother, Ralph Furger; sisters-in-law, Mary Jane Furger, Cindy Furger, Joyce Thomas, and Pat Hau; and brothers-in-law, Dick Knauf and Leon Thomas.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon.  The Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will preside.  Burial will be in the parish cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services all at the church.  Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon, is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.

Special thanks to Dr. Peterson and staff at Aspirus Cancer Center, Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, and to the staff at Mount View Care Center for the kind and compassionate care of Virjean.