Shirley M. Knitt

Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, friend and cherished member of the St. Germain and Boulder Junction communities, Shirley M. Knitt was welcomed into our Savior’s arms on April 7, 2025.

Shirley was born September 15, 1934, in Green Bay, to John and Helen Peterson. The Peterson family moved from Green Bay to Marion, where Shirley graduated from Marion High School in 1952. Shirley married William “Billy” Knitt September 10, 1955. Billy and Shirley moved their family to St. Germain in 1973 and opened the first of two hardware stores. Billy and Shirley owned and operated Knitt’s Hardware Hank in St. Germain for 23 years and Boulder Junction for nine years. Shirley then continued to work for her children at each of the stores offering hardware expertise until the age of 85. Shirley was an example of hard work, strength, and kindness, touching many through ‘hardware’ connections. 

Shirley was a devoted mother with a servant heart, often engaging in activities with her children and volunteering her time including many years as a Girl Scout and Boy Scout leader. She was an active member of the community, always willing to lend a hand and constantly on the go until health challenges in recent years began to slow her down. 

Shirley was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Eagle River, the Bo-Boen Snowmobile Club, and the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce. She served on the CESA board and on the Altar Guild at church. 

For many years, Shirley split her time between St. Germain and St. Petersburg, Fla. Her homes were always open to her family and others. Shirley enjoyed playing cards and putting together jigsaw puzzles with family and friends. In the Northwoods, she loved to watch the wildlife from her front window overlooking the lake. 

Shirley was the heart and soul of our family and will be dearly missed. She was a caring, supportive role model, enjoying time with all of her 14 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.  

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, William A. Knitt; her parents, John and Helen Peterson; in-laws, Alfred and Myrtle Knitt; two brothers, Ralph (Erin) and Ronald Peterson; two sisters, Beverly (Armand) Reinke and Jackie Dittloff; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack Smith, John (Irene) Knitt, Tom Knitt and Dee Knitt; son-in-law, Dennis Maurer and daughter-in-law, Terry Knitt. 

Shirley is survived by her sister, Joyce Smith, Green Bay; brothers and sisters-in-law, Carol Peterson, Appleton, Richard Dittloff, Green Bay; James Knitt, Rhinelander, Karen Knitt, Marion, Laura ‘Babe’ Knitt, Westby; children, Kent Knitt, St. Germain, Peter (Chris) Knitt, Rhinelander, Krista Maurer, Boulder Junction and Daniel (Lori) Knitt, St. Germain; grandchildren, Shawn Knitt (Lauren, Ava, Molly), Jennifer (Dave) Brzycki (William, Noah, Lucas, Faith), Joseph Knitt, Andrew (Lindsay) Knitt (Makaela, Sam, Annalise, Levi), Kati (Dan) Wetzel (Lydia, Micah, Zeke), Amanda Rezny (Reagan, Adeline), Christopher ‘Buck’ (Alicia) Knitt (Foster, Winnie, Louetta ‘Birdie’), Desirae Knitt, Brenda Knitt, Kelly Knitt, Matthew Maurer, (Anna), Jason (Katherine) Maurer (Aubrey, Jonathan), Justin (Kari) Knitt (Isabelle, Jordan, Charlotte), Cole Knitt and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Jackey Postuchow, Pastor Peter Kufahl and Seasons of Life Hospice House for their special care. A memorial will be established in Shirley’s name. 

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Eagle River with Pastor Kufahl officiating. Visitation will take place at the church two hours prior to the service. 

Arrangements by Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home, Eagle River. Online condolences may be expressed at gaffney-busha.com.