Serena Quackenboss
Serena (Knaus) Quackenboss, 97, died on July 29, 2019 at Hospice Home of
Hope in Fond du Lac, WI. She was born
on October 30, 1921 to Edwin and Pauline (Burg) Knaus in Johnsburg, WI. The family later moved to St. Joe where she attended St. Joseph’s Catholic
Elementary School and graduated from Goodrich High School in Fond du Lac,
WI. On January 31, 1942 Serena and
Roman Quackenboss were married at St. Joseph Church and were blessed with five
children.
While
raising her children Serena pursued a career in waitressing and received her
training at the Retlaw Hotel. She
worked at several Fond du Lac restaurants serving all guests in a professional
yet friendly manner for which she gained the appreciation and respect of the patrons. Later, Serena worked at the G & L Davis
Plant as an assembler in electronics until she retired in 1983 after 17 years.
Serena
was a sports enthusiast who loved watching baseball, golf, and football. While her sister Virgie was still living the two
of them kept the telephone lines going during games helping them to feel like
they were enjoying the event together despite the miles between them.
Card
playing was another way for Serena to stay connected with friends through the
years. She especially could be counted
on for a game of Bridge, Sheepshead, Pinochle, or Hand and Foot.
Among
the many friends that Serena enjoyed, she cherished the support and spiritual
growth she found in the Christian Women’s Aglow Group. Even when the group formally disbanded some
of the women continued to get together for prayer and discussion.
Another
valued connection in which Serena found meaning was her work with Sister
Blandine Eisele as they ministered through AA and Al-Anon activities. That
friendship was a source of peace and contributed to Serena’s ever deepening
faith life.
Serena
taught her children the value of discipline with love and set the example which
they followed in raising their own children.
She was strong and principled throughout her life. Serena had a special devotion to the Blessed
Mother and her unending walk with Jesus comforts us in the belief that both were there to welcome her
into eternity.
Serena
will be sadly missed by many but most of all by her family. She is survived by four children: Jerry
(Connie Guse) Quackenboss of Fond du Lac, WI, Thomas (Cate Hollander- Manowske)
Quackenboss of Lodi, WI, Mary Jo O’Brien, of Waupaca, WI and Andrew (Mary Jo
Herro) of Cedarburg, WI, eleven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Serena is further survived by siblings Helen Olig, Annamae Schwartz, Carol
Schneider, James Knaus and numerous nieces and nephews and her dear friend
Cecelia Martin.
Serena was preceded in death by her
parents, husbands Roman Quackenboss, Bernard Coller and Donald Steffes, her son
Kenneth Quackenboss, son-in-law, James O’Brien, sisters and
brothers-in-law: Zelda (Jim) Blonigen,
Virginia (Vince) Demshar, Rose (Gregor) Klinzing, Martina (Don) Steffes, and
sister-in-law Dolores Knaus, along with several nieces and nephews.
SERVICES:
Serena’s family invites friends and relatives for a time of visitation at St.
Francis Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, on Thursday, August 1, 2019
from 1:00 to 2:15 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:30 PM.
In
lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Serena’s name to St. Agnes Hospice
Hope – Building and Grounds.
Online
condolences can be expressed at www.zacherlfuneralhome.com.