Obituary of Phyllis Knauff
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Phyllis Jeannine (Stedem) Knauff, left this life peacefully in her sleep to join her Father in Heaven on Saturday, March 14, 2015. Phyllis was born in Marshall, Missouri on June 23, 1941 the third of four children of Frank Henry and Cecilia Catherine (Brockhaus) Stedem. She received her nursing degree from St. Mary's College in Leavenworth, Kansas and Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Kansas City, Kansas. For over 30 years, Phyllis raised two children in the Memorial area of Houston as a parishioner of St. Cecilia Catholic Church and School.
Phyllis practiced nursing in Houston at M.D. Anderson, NL Industries, Cameron Iron Works, Safeway, Maxwell House/Kraft General Foods USA, TRW, Parkside Lodge at Katy, and Zurich NA to name a few.
Phyllis's fulfilling life away from nursing was devoted to her family, friends, and volunteer work with charities including but not limited to, Bluebonnet Boxer Club (BBC) Board Member, Lifetime Member Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Carnival Ticket Sales (Diamond Circle Club Member) and Auctions & Receptions Committees, Cy-Fair Wine Fest, Our Lady of Czestochowa Roman Catholic Church and Polish Festival, American Business Women's Association (ABWA), Houston Federation of Professional Women (1995 Lifetime Achievement Recipient), Tejas Republican Woman, Case Management Society of America Board Member (CMSA), and Houston Texas Association of Occupational Health Nurses (HTAOHN).
Phyllis is survived by her two children, Cathy Knauff (Eric) Koester of Klein, Texas, and JJ (Debbye) Knauff of Lewisville, Texas, her former husband Jerry Joe Knauff, Sr. of Cypress, Texas, her siblings Marilyn (George) Swisher of Springfield, Missouri, Charles (Sharron) Stedem of Chillicothe, Missouri, and DiAnne Naros. She is also survived by nine grandchildren Steven Ahart; Ava, Kate, Harrison, and Lucas Knauff; and Chas Kelley, Dale, Brieanna, and Morgan Koester. Phyllis is also survived by her Uncle Herb Brockhaus, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, step-father George Ruehter, brother-in-law Paul Naros, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A Celebration of Life with the Holy Eucharist will be at Our Lady of Czestochowa, 1731 Blalock Rd, Houston, TX 77080 on Saturday, March 21st at 2 pm. Following the service, the family will receive guests during a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to St. Peter School Foundation, 1801 S Miami Ave, PO Box 220, Marshall, MO 65340. Please visit, www.josephjearthman.com to leave online tributes.
