Darleen M. Klebenow Kniess

Darleen M. Klebenow Kniess went to her Heavenly Home on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at the age of 84.

Darleen was born March 13, 1941, to the late Alvin and Eleanor (Steidinger) Wendt. She married Kenneth Klebenow on December 27, 1958. He preceded her in death on December 2, 2002. She married Everett ‘Ev’ M. Kniess on September 29, 2018. He preceded her in death on November 9, 2023. Darleen worked for the Merrill Area Public Schools food service department for 23 years. Darleen was a member of Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Gleason.

Darleen enjoyed taking people to their medical appointments through the Commission on Aging and volunteering with the Food Pantry at church. In their younger years, her and Kenny enjoyed polka music and polka dancing. She also belonged to a card club. One of Darleen and Ev’s favorite pastimes was four wheeling. She also enjoyed shopping trips with her daughters.

Survivors include her daughters, Linda (Rick) Dorn, Laurie (Mark) Folz, and Kristine (Robert) Reichelt; stepchildren, Laurie (Frank) Frederick, Sandy (Tim) Reader, Russell Kniess, and Debbie (Scott) Bagley; 12 grandchildren; 8 step grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 7 step great-grandchildren; twin sister, Doreen Gaeu Berndt; brother-in-law, Vess Kniess; and special friends, Jeannie Storm, Barb Steffenhagen, and Mary Ann Greitenhardt. Darleen was preceded in death by her husbands, Kenneth Klebenow and Everett ‘Ev’ Kniess; parents, Alvin and Eleanor Wendt; niece, Tami Gaeu; and several other brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law of Darleen, Kenneth and Ev.

The funeral service for Darleen will be held at 6:00 P.M., Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill. Rev. Greg Laska will officiate. Burial will take place at a later date in Snow Hill Cemetery, Town of Scott, Lincoln County. The visitation will begin at 3:00P.M. Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the church.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation, Merrill, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com