Obituary of Geraldine Loraine Knauf

Geraldine Loraine Knauf   -    January 12, 1938 – April 17, 2022

With sadness we announce the passing of Geraldine Knauf on April 17, 2022.

Geraldine (Gerry) Loraine Lowe was born in Vancouver, B.C. to parents Virgil and Lavona Lowe on January 12, 1938. Gerry’s family moved to the Cariboo in 1941, first to Ashcroft, then to Williams Lake, Horsefly and eventually settling in Quesnel.  Gerry grew up mostly in Quesnel, attending school and graduating from Quesnel Secondary School in 1956.

Gerry wrote in her 1956 yearbook that her ambition was to be a rancher - her dream came true! After she married Grant Knauf on May 1, 1957, they homesteaded their first ranch at Jordan Creek on the Nazko Highway and added a second ranch at Crimmon Creek. After a few years, the family moved closer to town to the present location on Baker Creek Road.

Gerry was very proud of their four children they raised on the ranch, and she was also a softy for the cows, horses, and sheep and all the other animals that showed up needing care.

Gerry was passionate about her family, horses, Cowboy Poetry and community. She was a 4-H leader and guided many  youth through their projects. She belonged to many horse clubs and community farming organizations and worked tirelessly for them all. Gerry worked side by side Grant in the clubs as well as the ranch work.

With her passion for horses, she supported and coached her family in all of their riding competitions as well as winning numerous first place and annual high points prizes herself at both the local and provincial levels. Her love of horses took her into all types of horse venues - gymkhana, barrel racing, quarter horse shows, reining and driving, as well as numerous Horse Pack Trips to the mountains - she loved it all!

One of Gerry’s numerous hobbies was black powder shooting and she was extremely talented at it.  In the 1984 BC Winter Games and the 1985 Summer Games she won a total of five gold medals.

Gerry was Quesnel Citizen of the Year in 2006 with her husband Grant, recognizing their community service. She took the community recognition seriously and was proud that she was able to represent all the hard-working rural ranching community.

She is survived by her loving husband Grant, brothers Robert Lowe, and Stanley Lowe, daughter Laurel - husband Clive, son Arthur - wife Marissa, son Walter, and daughter Leila - husband Glenn.  8 grandchildren, Jessica, Monica, Heather, Gerald, Phoenix, Maya, Trevor and Nathan.  8 great grandchildren, Xavier, Ayla, Max, Mackenzie, Mia, Jesse, Nikki and Sam.

A Celebration of Life will be held on August 21 at 11:00 am at the Knauf Family Ranch, 1858 Baker Creek Road. Afternoon luncheon and beverages will be provided. Please bring your lawn chair and memories to share.

In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to Quesnel Palliative Care.