Laura M. Kniess, age 61, of Merrill, passed away on Tuesday, December 24, 2013, at Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill.
Laura was born September 26, 1952, in Rockford, Illinois, daughter of the late Emil and Dorothy (Gordon) Pedersen. She married Gerald C. Kniess in May of 1977. He survives. Laura was a homemaker and enjoyed babysitting. She had previously worked at Menzner Lumber Company. Laura enjoyed horseback riding, camping, and spending time outdoors. 
Survivors include her husband, Gerald C. Kniess of Merrill; three daughters, Margaret (husband, Mike) Sczygelski, Helen Kniess, and Emily (husband, Allen) Kuehl, all of Merrill; one step son, Paul; seven grandchildren; and two sisters, Yvonne (partner, Virginia) Pedersen, Merrill, and Dorothy ‘Dottie’ (husband, Dennis) Willis, Elko, Nevada. Besides her parents, Laura is preceded in death by one sister, Clarice Pedersen.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, December 27, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Town of Berlin. The Rev. Jeffrey Schmidt and The Rev. James Wieland will co-officiate. Burial will take place late next spring in the church cemetery. The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, is assisting the family. 
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com.