Celine P. Knockel, 94, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2025, at Hawkeye Care Center with her loving family by her side.

Friends and family may visit from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Dubuque.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the church with Rev. Steven Rosonke officiating. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. in St. Andrew’s Cemetery in Tennyson, Wisconsin. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, is assisting the family.

Celine was born on May 22, 1931, in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph and Hildagaard (Pickel) Margan. On June 7, 1958, Celine married Walter Knockel at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dubuque.

Celine was a woman who found joy in bringing happiness to others. For more than 30 years, she and her husband Walter delivered Meals on Wheels, and she lovingly cooked for the priests at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. A devout Catholic, she faithfully attended Mass every week. Celine’s talents in the kitchen were endless. An avid baker, she delighted in making pies, Suzie Q cakes, and her chocolate chip cookies, which she shared generously with others but never ate herself. She had a gift for ensuring everyone felt cared for, often baking each grandchild’s favorite treat so no one went without. Her kindness extended far beyond her kitchen, paving a path of love and compassion for her family and friends. Celine also enjoyed bowling, often taking her children along for Tuesday night games, and she remained an enthusiastic Euchre player until her final days. She will be remembered as a woman of unwavering faith, deep love, and endless generosity, who will be profoundly missed by all who knew her.

Celine is survived by her four children, Deborah (Dave Stokes) Francois of Dubuque, Tim (Patty) Knockel of Elizabeth, IL, Nancy (Kevin) Kainz of Mechanicsville, Iowa, and Wayne (Jim) Lynch) Knockel of Sterling, IL; eight grandchildren, Luke (Sarah) Francois, Eric (Tammy) Francois, Stacy Knockel, Tina (Brian) McVey, Raymond Knockel, Steven Knockel, Robert (Nicole) Miller, and Michael Miller; eight great grandchildren; siblings, Joe (Grace) Margan of Dubuque, JoAnn Stash of Huntington Beach, CA, Eleanor Frederick Bellwood, IL, Lorraine Webb, and June Margan, both of Dubuque.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Walter in 2013; great granddaughter Adrian; siblings Lloyd (Vivian) Margan, Butch (Ursula) Margan, Erma (Alfred) Kerkenbush, Germaine (Arthur) Hense; three brothers-in-law, Mike Stash, Gene Webb, and Donald Frederick.