Jeanine Knish

Jeanine Knish, age 80, of Waseca and formerly of Waterville, died peacefully on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at Colony Court Assisted Living in Waseca following an extended illness.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Waseca, with Father Gregory Leif officiating. Private family interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery in Waterville.

Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Jeanine's family requests donation be made to the Church of the Sacred Heart, the American Cancer Society, or to the donor's choice in her memory.

Arrangements are being completed by the McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory of Waseca.

Jeanine Muriel, the daughter of Floyd and Marguerite (Reynolds) Strom, was born on March 23, 1934 in Faribault. She attended Waterville High School and graduated with the class of 1952. Following high school, Jeanine continued her education at Mankato State University and on June 16, 1956, she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Roger Knish in Elysian. They were blessed with three children, Susan, Nancy, and Patricia before his passing in 1983.

Jeanine enjoyed raising her children in their early years before becoming the Office Manager and Bookkeeper at the Will's Company in Waseca, and eventually retired after over thirty years of service. Outside of working, she enjoyed reading, traveling with her family and friends, being an avid walker, jazzercise, and volunteering at many local organizations including: the Waseca Medical Center, Waseca Arts Center, and at the Church of the Sacred Heart as a Eucharistic Minister for the homebound and also helped at funeral lunches. She was a longtime member of the Our Gang Club and the Church of the Sacred Heart.

She is survived by her three daughters, Sue (Randy) Bayerl of Elk River, Nancy (Bill) Halpin of Eden Prairie, and Patty (Jeff) Pettit of Winnebago; her nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren and by many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roger; and by her sister and brother-in-law, Joanne (Kendall) Dusbabek.

Jeanine's family would like to thank the caring staff at both the Colony Court in Waseca and also the Mayo Health Systems ~ Hospice for their care and support they provided to Jeanine.