Mary Jane Knauss

Mary Jane Knauss (78) passed away the evening of November 5, 2024, in Heber City, UT, with her daughter and granddaughters by her side. 

Mary Jane was born to Ted and Lucile Knauss, January 11th, 1946, in Hannaford, ND. She graduated from Hannaford High School in 1964, and then attended NDSU, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1967. Mary Jane then continued post graduate education at the University of Iowa in Childhood Development & Psychology. Educating others was one of her greatest passions and joys. Her students, of all ages, meant the world to her. She worked every day to show the world that while everyone has important gifts, they may have their own way of learning and developing ways to share these gifts. 

Her early career was filled with diverse experiences which included teaching in a Head Start program (Wakpala, SD); preschool and adult education at the United Tribes Employment Training Center and as a BECEP teacher (Bismarck, ND); at a Title 1 ESEA preschool (Beach, ND); Kindergarten and Title 3 (Poplar and Brockton, MT). In 1977, she moved to Bowman, ND where she taught for more than 23 years, retiring in 2004. Initially teaching 1st grade, followed by 2nd grade (14 years), Kindergarten and 5th grade (1 year each), and Title 1 (12 years). Mary Jane did not stop there, continuing as a short/long term substitute teacher, including time in a local one-room schoolhouse. During this time she made a great many friends. Mary Jane was passionate about learning new methods and attended many workshops, classes, and conferences. This included meeting book authors and providing thoughts on their writing, and work toward special certifications in elementary education, reading, and gifted and talented.

In 1980, shortly after moving to Bowman, she welcomed her daughter, Georgia, into her life. They had many great adventures. She loved to spend time with family and friends, and spent much of her free time traveling for visits. Some of these were fun trips to catch-up, but other times they were to provide support for others. She had fun whether it was traveling around ND, hiking in a National Park, relaxing by a campfire, canoeing, or sitting along the road awaiting a good Samaritan or a tow truck. Every once in a while, she spent time in a densely populated area, including an east coast museum trip with Georgia and longer stays in the Chicago and Los Angeles areas to care for her grandnieces and nephews. Mary Jane enjoyed the arts, and had great times exploring the museums, parks, and theaters. 

Mary Jane had time to spend with any child that needed someone while their families were busy, and she would have games, crafts, books, and activities to share. Naturally, she also regularly provided short or long term care to others pets including strays, her daughters and other loved one’s cats, dogs, and turtles.

Once her daughter, Georgia, moved to Sheridan, WY and Mary Jane’s first grand-baby was to be born (2011) she spent time in WY, moving to Sheridan full-time in 2015. By this time, she was blessed with two grandchildren. When her 3rd grandchild arrived in 2016, she was already close by. She was able to spend time with them, take them to activities, the park, plays and concerts, play games, and read. She took great care of her grandchildren as long as she could, and then they assisted her with tasks.  When her daughter’s family moved to Utah in 2023 Mary Jane welcomed them all, including the dog, to stay with her for a couple of months as things were in flux. Then at the beginning of 2024 she joined her daughter and family in UT.

Mary Jane was an active member of the Bowman and Trinity Lutheran churches, as well as others, throughout her life. She taught Sunday school and confirmation, served on church boards, read lessons, and helped create quilts for donation. Although she loved to sew, quilting was not her favorite, but she loved the company. Mary Jane had many interests and especially enjoyed writing, reading, watching mystery programs and old movies, playing games, puzzles, crocheting, attending plays, musicals, and other concerts, cooking, and baking. Her chocolate chip cookies, shoo-fly pie, glorified rice, and fruitcake will be remembered by many. She also volunteered at the Bowman Pioneer Trails Museum and with adult non-readers. Mary Jane was very active until her cancer returned, as this took a toll on her bones and many of her favorite activities became difficult. 

Mary Jane is survived by her beloved daughter, Georgia Knauss (Shane Hansen); grandchildren Avery, Corbin, and Kaitlynn Hansen; her sisters Kay (Harvey Brudvig) and Becky (Mel Moe); and by more dear friends and family than can possibly be listed. Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Phyllis Nelson and Patricia Baukol; brother Frederick Knauss; and many loved ones. A memorial service led by Pastor Philip Wold will be held December 19 at 11:00 a.m. MST at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sheridan, WY, with a reception to follow in the church fellowship hall. Her cremation was entrusted to the Probst Heber Valley Funeral Home. In honor of her generosity, the family requests that in lieu of flowers please consider a donation made to a charity in her name, such as the Dog and Cat Shelter, The Link – Partners in Pink (The Foundation), The National Park Foundation, or one of your choice. Online condolences may be shared at probstfamilyfunerals.com.