Julia “Judi” Darlene Kniess, age 82, of Gleason, Wisconsin, passed away on Monday, March 6, 2023 at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill, Wisconsin. She was born to Paul and Alice (Stanke) Derogotis in Spokane, Washington on October 28, 1940. While visiting a lake in Washington, Judi met Daniel “Dan” Kniess. After Judi pushed Dan into the lake and had to jump in and save him because he didn’t know how to swim. The two fell in love and married on December 17, 1960. During her time in Spokane, she worked at JJ Newberry’s and was in the Civil Air Patrol. Judi was a city girl at heart, but she couldn’t resist Dan and moved to Wisconsin to live on his parents’ farm. After farming for many years, Dan and Judi opened Outlaw Supper Club in Gleason, Wisconsin. Judi was very involved in her community. She was the Secretary Treasurer for the Community Club, President of Women’s Bowling, a youth bowling coach, Lioness District President for two years, volunteered at Meals on Wheels and worked in the office for Commission on Aging Site as a Site Director for over 25 years all the while raising five children. Judi enjoyed knitting, bowling, the Packers, gambling, camping, puzzles and watching old classic movies and westerns. She will be remembered for her contagious laugh and inability to recognize sarcasm.

Judi is survived by her husband, Dan Kniess, children: Kitty Lange, Kathleen (Darrell) Krzanowski, Kriss Kniess, and Kandy Walker, grandchildren: Dan (Liz) Kniess, Tasha Kniess, Derek Krzanowski, and Jesse Krzanowski, great grandchildren: Callyn and Delany Kniess, Christopher, Kaitlyn, Aiden, Bryce, Austin, Dakota, and Bridget Krzanowski, sister-in-law: Betty Derogotis, brothers-in-law: Everett (Darlene) Kniess and Ervester Kniess and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Kerby Kniess, parents: Paul and Alice Derogotis, brother: Ronald Derogotis, mother and father-in-law: Erwin and Esther Kniess, son-in-law: Craig Lange, sisters and brothers-in-law: Yvonne Kniess, Dave and Labelle Klug and Edward and Elizabeth Jahns, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 13, 2023 at 11:00 am at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Gleason, WI. Pastor Greg Laska will officiate. A visitation will be held on Monday, March 13, 2023 from 10:00 am until the time of service also at the church. A lunch will follow at the Gleason Lion’s park. Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.