Marilyn A. Knuth

Marilyn A. Knuth, 77, of De Pere, Wisconsin, passed away on March 7, 2026. Born on February 14, 1949, in Green Bay to the late Norbert and Marie (Kempen) Jansen, she met her husband Tom at a high school dance. After a whirlwind courtship, they married on July 26, 1969, and together raised three daughters, Heidi, Carrie, and Beth. Marilyn graduated from nursing school at Holy Family in Manitowoc and devoted more than forty years to her career as a nurse at St. Vincent Hospital.

Marilyn and Tom shared a gentle, respectful marriage built on friendship and compromise. They considered each other best friends and faced life’s challenges together with patience and understanding. Marilyn was known for her warm, helpful nature and her ability to strike up conversations with anyone. She made friends easily, especially with the staff and patrons at the restaurants she and Tom frequented.

She found great joy in quilting, crafting, and being outdoors near the water. A true perfectionist, Marilyn spent countless hours creating beautiful handmade gifts for family and friends. Each Christmas she lovingly produced around seventy homemade ornaments, often tucking in wrapped mini candy bars and other small treats. She was an excellent baker whose pies were legendary among those who knew her, and she cherished having Tom by her side in the kitchen, stirring fillings or peeling apples. Above all, Marilyn loved spending time with her family and faithfully supported her children and grandchildren at every event and milestone.

She is survived by her loving husband of fifty-six years, Tom; her daughters, Heidi (David) O’Toole, Carrie (David) Richard, and Beth VanStraten (Patrick Whitaker); grandchildren Ashleigh Echols, Annabelle VanStraten (Devon Johnson), Rhianna O’Toole, Hayden VanStraten, and Liam O’Toole; and great-grandchildren Cecilia and Ethan Torres. She is further survived by her siblings Ron Jansen, Jeanne (John) Valentine, Jeff (Dee) Jansen, and Carol (Mark) White, along with many nieces and nephews. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Peter, Gary, and Dave.