Obituary of Helen M. Knauss

Helen M. Knauss of the Town of Poughkeepsie entered into rest on Friday, September 4, 2015 at the Lutheran Care Center. She was 84. Daughter of the late Ernest and Mildred McElrath Steinard, she was born on September 25, 1930 in Cornwall. She married Gordon R. Knauss on May 4, 1957 in Poughkeepsie; Mr. Knauss preceded her in death, passing on December 23, 1994. As a young woman, Helen worked as a secretary for Rosenbaum Jewelers in Newburgh. After she was married and started a family, she spent her years making a warm and loving home for her husband and three children, and enjoying their lives together. Survivors include her children, Raymond Knauss and his wife, Kathy of Wappingers Falls, George Knauss of Poughkeepsie, and Karen Gioia and her husband, David of Hyde Park; brothers, John Steinard and his wife, Audrey of St. Cloud, FL, Frank Steinard and his wife, Bonnie of Fishkill, and Edward Steinard and his wife, Elaine of Orlando, FL; grandchildren, Alexander, Mitchell, James and his wife, Heather, and Sarah; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Gordon, she was predeceased by her brother, Ernest Steinard. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. A funeral service will be held following visitation at 6 p.m.; Reverend Denes House will officiate. Interment will be private at Wappingers Rural Cemetery, Wappingers Falls. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Helen's name to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, NY 10001. For directions or to send a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.