Fern Knauss completed her earthly journey on Saturday, July 19th, 2025, at Village Manor in Abilene, Kansas, surrounded by her loving family.
Fern was the daughter of Nobel and Edith May (Sutton) Frey, and the middle child of six siblings. Raised on a dairy farm, she developed a deep love for animals and a strong work ethic that defined her entire life. That dedication was evident early on, in her schoolwork, her daily responsibilities on the farm, and her accomplishments; including graduating from Dickinson County Community High School in 1959.
Her passion for farm life led her to compete in the Dairy Princess competition, where she proudly earned the title in 1961. She was the third and final Frey daughter to hold this honor, making it a cherished family tradition.
In her early adult years, Fern worked at South Western Bell, where she met a young police officer named Delmar Knauss. They later married and had three beautiful children: Brad, Dean, and Amy. Though Fern and Delmar eventually divorced before his untimely passing, their shared love for their children remained constant.
Fern brought her farm girl tenacity to everything she pursued, from selling Avon (earning several company awards) to roles that highlighted her warm, outgoing personality, including positions at McKinley School, Brown’s Home, and with the Central Kansas Free Fair. She especially loved rodeo season and never missed the annual Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo.
Her greatest accomplishment, however, was raising three strong, intelligent, and resilient children as a single mother. She loved fiercely and unconditionally. Her children always knew they could turn to her, and she would be there with open arms and a generous heart.
In her later years, Fern cherished time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an avid chocolate lover and had a famously early start to celebrating her favorite season, Christmas, often beginning to listen to holiday music in July.
Fern was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Laura Anderson; her brothers, Larry Frey and Frank Frey; and her brother-in-law, Warren Redden.
She is survived by her children: Brad (Richard) Knauss, Dean (Ann) Knauss, and Amy (Lee) Weaver; her siblings, Vivian Redden and Earl Frey; her grandchildren, Joseph (Taylor) Knauss, Brent (Juliet) Larson, and Fiona Vaitys; and her great-grandchildren, Ellenor, Blair, and Archer Knauss.