It is with great sadness that the family of Marilyn Jean Knief, 88, of Maquoketa, IA, announce her passing at Harmony Dubuque, on April 15,2025.

Marilyn was born in rural La Motte, IA, on October 24, 1936 to Elmer and Sylvia (Wiegert) Hankemeier, where she grew up on the familyfarm. She married the love of her life Irvin Knief on March 4, 1957, in St. Donatus, IA, where they farmed until Irvin’s death in 1991.  She then moved to Maquoketa where she worked at the Jackson County Hospital as a dietary aide until her retirement.

Marilyn was a thoughtful and caring mother, grandmother, and great grandmother that loved spending time with her friends and family.  Sheenjoyed square dancing with her late husband, quilting, and collecting bird figurines. Marilyn was a member of numerous card clubs in Maquoketa playing both Euchre and 500. She will always be remembered for her amazing home cooked meals and her famous cinnamon coffeecake. Marilyn was a dedicated member of St. John’s Lutheran Church as well as First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa IA.

Marilyn will forever be missed by her two sons, Kevin (Susan) Knief and Daniel (Gretchen) Knief, grandchildren Corey (Shannon)Manderscheid, Jamie (Tricia) Manderscheid, Mitchell (Shannon) Knief, Anthony Venki, Lucas Knief, Colton Knief, Tera (Steve) Oberbroeckling,Brianne Kirch, Justine (Wesley) Dunn, Lexi Knief, thirteen great grandchildren, sister Betty (David) Schroeder, son-in-law William Thill, and sisters-in-law, Norine Hankemeier and Judy Hankemeier.  She was preceded in death by her loving husband Irvin Knief, daughter Kimberly Thill, grandson Timothy Schiffman, parents Elmer and Sylvia Hankemeier, siblings Wilmer Hankemeier and Ray Hankemeier, as well as her father andmother-in-law, Louis and Alvina Knief.

Please join Marilyn’s family in a celebrating her life with a visitation from 9:30 to 11 A.M., Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at St. John’s LutheranChurch at St. Donatus, 32101 370th Street, Bellevue, Iowa 52031.  Funeral services will follow at 11 A.M.  Burial at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery.  The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Marilyn Knief memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.