Obituary of ethel deanna knese

Ethel Deanna Knese died peacefully on November 3, 2022 with her daughter by her side. She was 82 years old and was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 53 years, Jim Knese. She is survived by her daughters, Deanna Minkler of Niceville, and Terri Piper (Jim) of Wentzville, MO; grandson, Dustin Minkler of Birmingham, AL; granddaughter, Kayla Minkler of Philadelphia, PA; great-granddaughter, Isabella Caton of Santa Rosa Beach, FL and her brother, Joseph (Sheila) Hibbard of San Bernadino, CA. Ethel was born on March 4, 1940, in Caseyville, Illinois to Caswell Dean Hibbard and Victoria Deanna Hibbard. She was the youngest of seven children. Having married Jim in 1958, Ethel spent most of her married life as a homemaker and working for charitable organizations. Her nurturing soul made her a “mother” to children wherever they lived- as a home daycare mom or just the loving neighbor on the block. Her happy place was being outside tending her plants and flowers, nurturing them. Her love of travel was perfectly matched with Jim’s job at McDonnell Douglas as they were transferred to many locations. During their time in Saudi Arabia she was able to fulfill her lifetime dream of seeing the ancient ruins in Greece, and the Great Pyramids of Egypt. When they returned from their journeys Ethel and her husband joined the American Legion. Thereafter they spent their time improving the lives of veterans in three different states. Her adult fife was centered around helping others any way she could. Her door was always open from the lonely airman to the elderly widow. She was always a lady but could bring the room to laughter with a twinkle in her eye and a spontaneous witty comment. After attending the Catholic church with her family during her adult life, she converted to Catholicism on October 27, 2021 choosing our nurturing mother, Mary, as her Confirmation Saint. In lieu of flowers, donations to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital are requested. Arrangements entrusted to Family-Funeral & Cremation of Mary Esther, FL (850)226-4240.