Shirley Knakmuhs, age 96 of Walnut Grove, passed away Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Prairie View Health Care Center in Tracy. Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, November 7, 2025 at English Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove. Private family interment will be in the Walnut Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum. Stephens Funeral Service – Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Shirley Alice (Embree) Knakmuhs was born March 3, 1929 to Frank and Alice (Brecke) Embree in Hanley Falls, Minnesota. She attended and graduated from Hanley Falls Public Schools. On September 3, 1948, Shirley was united in marriage to Richard Knakmuhs. The couple resided in Walnut Grove and Shirley worked as a nurse’s aide. She also helped start up the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum and pageant, where she worked as museum director. Shirley volunteered on the Walnut Grove Ambulance Crew and was a very active member of the English Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove. There she was very involved on the Ladies Aid and a member of 20th Century. To pass the time she enjoyed a good book, crossword or working on a puzzle. Shirley loved collecting dolls, bowling and learning everything about Laura Ingalls Wilder. She enjoyed painting ceramics and was a very creative individual. She worked hard on the perfect gifts for Christmas and birthdays. She loved to have her family around her, especially her grandchildren.
Shirley is survived by her children: Michele (John) Bisbee, Melinda (Steve) Kubias, Kevin Knakmuhs, Kerry (Becky) Knakmuhs and Marilee (Jon) Saxhaug; 18 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; 15 great great grandchildren; one brother; and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband and some of her siblings.
