Mary Frances Knoll

Mary Frances (Walczak) Knoll, 85, of Denver, died January 30, 2017. She is survived by her children, John (Oneida) Knoll, Michael (Molly) Knoll, Mary Ann Campbell, Brian (Shari) Knoll, Kevin (Terry) Knoll, and Mary Jane (Mike) Meer; grandchildren, Caleb (Amber) Knoll, Luke Knoll, Esther Knoll, Rachel Campbell, Andrew Campbell, Jacinda (Nicholas) Shelly, David Knoll, Joshua Knoll, Christopher Knoll, Stephen (Ashley) Knoll, Emily (Titus) Reed, Cierra Meer, Michael Meer; and sister, Joanne Kiteley. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Knoll, and her grandson, Benjamin Campbell. Mary Frances was born in Duncan Oklahoma and lived in about 30 different locations such as Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kansas, and New York before she graduated from St. Patrick's parochial school in Lake Providence, Louisiana in 1943. She lived in another eight locations before settling into Casper Wyoming where she attended Natrona County High School. She graduated in 1947 at age 15. She attended Casper Junior college for one year, continuing her education at Colorado A&M in Fort Collins, from which she was graduated in 1951 (age 19) with a major in child development. Her class was the last graduating class at Colorado A&M before it was named Colorado State University. She was active in Newman club work; she served as secretary of the Intermountain Province Newman Club. Mary Frances (Pixie to her friends) was married to her college sweetheart (Chuck) on August 20, 1951 in Casper Wyoming. Mary Frances and Chuck settled into a converted two car garage at 1788 south Broadway for about eight months. She said you never needed to take more than one or two steps to get to another room; ""at least it is our own and it is easy to clean. Mary Frances and Chuck moved to their first house at 1775 south Umatilla in 1952 where they started a family. While living at this house, John and Michael were born. They moved into their second and final home at 3365 Wagon Trail Drive. Their family continued to grows as Mary Ann, Brian, Kevin and Mary Jane were born at this house. Mary Frances spent much of her life dedicated to her husband and children. This took some of her time. When she had free time, she spent time playing couples bridge with the Rileys as well as being involved with three bridge clubs. She taught all of the children to play cards and you could always find a card game at the house when you stopped by. A long standing game was Russian Rummy (a.k.a Progressive Rummy). It was played for more than 15 years until Hand-and-Foot came along. In the end, her favorite game was five crowns. Another special time around the house was around holidays. Christmas called for ginormous bins of cookies (butter, sugar, brown sugar, pizzelles, snicker doodles, snow balls, fruit cakes, and fudge), all to be dipped in eggnog on Christmas Eve. Turkey was the main course on Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was always delicious. Looking at the house after she passed, we were reminded of how many socks were darned, how many zippers were fixed, and how many holes were patched. You could always see a needle in her hand. Mother, we all love you and will miss you. You did far too much for us to keep track of but we know you loved us by what you did. Visitation will be held at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 S Wadsworth Blvd on Thursday 2/9/17 at 6pm, rosary begins at 7pm. Funeral Mass to be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 6853 S. Prince St. on 2/10/17 at 10am followed by a reception at the church at 11am. Committal at Fort Logan National Cemetery to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Muscular Distrophy Association at: https://secure2.convio.net/mda/site/Donation2?7651.donation=form1&df_id=7651 Please share your memories of Mary Frances and condolences with her family by signing the guestbook below.