Obituary of Margarete Knacke

Margarete Luise Knacke, born in Stuttgart, Germany, died on January 7, 2015 at the age of 100 years. Margarete was the daughter of Friedrich and Luise Koestlin and had two brothers, Hans and Fritz. She was preceded in death in by her husband, Theodor Wilhelm Knacke, and is survived by her two children, Roger Knacke and Brigitte Ahlfeldt, foster son George Wolek, four grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Margarete completed the German academic school degree. She and Theodor married in 1940, and the family immigrated to the United States in February, 1947. They were among the German scientists and engineers invited to the United States by the US Army following World War II. The family resided first in Fairborn, Ohio, and later in El Centro, Los Angeles, and Carmel, California. She lived a very long life devoted to family, both her immediate family in the United States, and her extended family in Germany. Margarete met and overcame a birth injury, serious illnesses, and tragedy and disruption during and following World War II. She responded to all with courage and determination. Margarete loved music, was a lifelong reader, had great interests in history and archeology as well as politics, and was a devout member of her church. She supported numerous charities including the arts, medicine, and humanitarian causes. She strongly encouraged and supported her children and grandchildren in education and the arts. The memorial service will be at the Union Presbyterian Church in Los Altos on January 16, 11 a.m.