Loretta Knepprath

Loretta H. Knepprath, age 87, of the Town of Saukville, Wis., died peacefully on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, at Lincoln Village in Port Washington, Wis.

She was born Sept. 6, 1935, in Kewaskum, Wis., to George and Jennifer Hoffman Strohmeyer.

She grew up in Kewaskum and graduated from Kewaskum High School in 1953.

Loretta married William Knepprath of the Town of Holland in Sheboygan County near Dacada on Oct. 10, 1959, at St. Bridgette’s Catholic Church in Kewaskum.

They made their home in the Town of Saukville and were blessed with six children.

Loretta was a homemaker and loved to bake, especially homemade breads and dinner rolls. She also was a seamstress and sewed outfits for her children and grandchildren.

She was creative and loved to make braided rugs and even did some woodworking. She loved to display her projects at the Ozaukee County Fair.

In the warmer months, she tended to her garden and enjoyed the many beautiful flowers that bloomed. Her legacy of canning fruits and vegetables, gardening, baking and creative arts live on with her family.

Loretta was an active volunteer and 4-H leader with the former Shamrock 4-H Club in Saukville for many years and was a long-time member of St. John XXIII Catholic Parish, Immaculate Conception Church in Saukville.

She enjoyed the Milwaukee Braves/Brewers, spending time with her grandchildren and playing sheepshead with the family.

Loretta worked for Appleland in Belgium for 22 years and then for four years in Saukville. After Appleland, she was employed by Gene Fransee doing various cleaning activities and other projects.

Her husband of 59 years preceded her in death on April 2, 2019.

She is survived by her children Roger (Sheila) Knepprath of Cedarburg, Barbara (Allan) Viste of Black River Falls, Marie (the late Gary) Paulus of Fredonia, Patricia (Thomas) Liimatta of Fredonia and Thomas Knepprath of Saukville; and eight grandchildren, Jennifer (Brandan) Macha and Michelle (Eric) Rosploch, Jeremy Knepprath, Melinda (Carson) Johnson, Kathryn Paulus, Emily Paulus, Philip Paulus and Elizabeth Liimatta.

She is further survived by great-grandchildren Jonathan and Madelyn Macha, James and Owen Rosploch and Cecilia Johnson, her sister Marion (the late Edwin) Knepprath, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Loretta was preceded in death by her husband Bill, daughter Joanne Knepprath, sisters Louise Skattebo and Catherine Keen, brothers Anton Strohmeyer and Harold and his wife Betty Strohmeyer; brothers-in-law Clarence Knepprath and Robert and his wife Carol Knepprath and sister-in-law Marcella “Sally” Knepprath and Marion Schmidt.

The Rev. Patrick Wendt will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at noon on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at St. John XXIII Catholic Parish, Immaculate Conception Church, 140 W. Church St., Saukville, Wis.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the church prior to the Mass.

Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Saukville.

Memorials to the Ozaukee County 4-H Foundation (P.O. Box 176, Cedarburg, WI 53012-0176) are appreciated.

Special thanks to the staff at Lincoln Village and Sharon S. Richardson Hospice.  Additional thanks to Dr. Mark Bostwick and the nursing staff at Aurora Hospital in Grafton.

Poole Funeral Home/Crematory, Port Washington, Wis., is assisting the family. Information and condolences are at www.poolefh.com or (262) 284-4431.