Waunita Rossow-Knauf, 95
Feb. 18, 1917 — March 6, 2012

Waunita Rossow-Knauf, 95, of Niles, died at 2:15 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles, following a brief illness.

She was born Feb. 18, 1917, in Niles to Herman and Myrtle (Bowman) Schrumpf, and graduated from Niles High School in 1935.

She lived in Niles and Buchanan most of her life, and several retirement years in Mesa, Ariz.

Waunita was married Aug. 20, 1938, at Saint John’s United Church of Christ in Niles to Carl A. Rossow. In 1945, Mr. and Mrs. Rossow purchased the Arney Coal Company in Buchanan, and in 1952 expanded it to the Carl A. Rossow Feed Mill. Waunita was an active co-owner, keeping the company books.

She was a member of Saint John’s United Church of Christ in Niles and the Apache Wells Community Church in Mesa. She was also a member of the Buchanan Business and Professional Women and Saint John’s women’s fellowship. She and Carl enjoyed traveling, especially to Hawaii.

Waunita and Carl celebrated the 54th wedding anniversary prior to his death on Nov. 13, 1992. On Oct. 26, 1996, she married Richard W. Knauf, Sr. who preceded her in death on Dec. 26, 2011.

She was also preceded in death by her sister, Margaret Horner; brother, George Schrumpf; and a special niece, Charlene Travis.
Surviving family includes two sons, Jerry C. (and Kathryn) Rossow of Buchanan and Richard H. (Sue) Rossow of Union; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Brian) Eby, Tracey (Stefan) Jaggi, Susan (Andy) Fisher, Corey Rossow, Peter (Jamie) Rossow, Sarah (Joseph) Young, Kevin (Betsy) Phillips and Kurt (Kristy) Phillips; 20 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  Waunita is also survived by her stepchildren, Marilyn Leiler and Richard (Jackie) Knauf, Jr., both of Niles; and many step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren and step-great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral service for Waunita Rossow-Knauf will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 9, at Saint John’s United Church of Christ with the Rev. Kyle Gardner of Niles officiating.  Committal will follow at the graveside at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Buchanan.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 until 8 p.m. today at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles. Contributions in memory of Waunita may be made to Saint John’s United Church of Christ.