In Loving Memory of Rosemarie (Firgens) Knigge Born February 16, 1927 in Suring, Wisconsin – U.S.A. Passed on to Eternal Life July 23, 2024 Storm clouds rolled in the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024. When they departed, they took the loving spirit of our mother, Rosemarie Knigge, 97. Clouds covered the sun throughout the day, leaving the sky a muted grey. The world had gone less bright. Mom's life was a continuous adventure, paving the way for single mothers of her time, although she would consider herself a reluctant activist. Advancing in her career from RN to ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner), one of the early graduating classes in the country, she proudly served the Miccosukee and Seminole Tribes for over 40 years. She was also a Toby's Clown School graduate and entertained local nursing homes as
Skeezix, the clown. She loved to travel, particularly cruising to ports near and far, exploring the land, or simply staying on the ship reading a good book. She cherished being on the water by boat or ship, scalloping in the shallows, or swimming in her lake. She took great pleasure in the books she read, and you would seldom see her without a book in her hand, whether traveling or at home in her reading chair with her feet up. She
would often remark that you can never be bored if you have a book in your hand! Her greatest joy was her family. She treasured the times her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren would gather at her home for a summer retreat around the lake or a Thanksgiving meal. She was an inspiration not only to her family but also to the many friends she encountered in her life's journey. Whether sitting around the table playing cards or engaging in "cerebral" conversations, her intelligence and wit quietly surfaced. You never knew what to expect from her! She is survived by her children Lynn DiGiorgio, Tom Knigge (Miryam), Kim Harden, Patty Smith (Buddy), Mary Rivero, daughter-in-law Carolyn Smith, grandchildren; Tommy (Briana), Timmy (Jennifer), Teddy, and Rose Knigge, Dave and Drew (Marina) Harden, Leslie Smith (Eric) and Carly (Josh) Jacobs, and Paul (Debra) and Alan (Elysia) Rivero along with numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter (Butch) and Clara (Peck) Firgens; her five siblings, Eugene, Allen, Helen, Clara (Wiggy), and Bobby; her son Michael Knigge, and son-in-law Myron Harden. A Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life will be held at her beloved St. James Catholic Church, 3380
Placid View Drive, in Lake Placid, Florida on September 7, 2024, at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to The Center for Great Apes, https://centerforgreatapes.org/donate/. Donations can also be mailed to PO Box 488 Wauchula, FL 33873