Sieglinde Kneis

Loving wife, mother, Oma and Great Oma

Sieglinde Juliana Kneis, 86, passed away peacefully at home in Wayne on May 11, 2020.

Sieglinde was born in Munich, Germany – the eldest of six siblings. It was in Munich that she met and married Josef, her devoted husband of 66 years.  Together, the young couple emigrated to the U.S. in 1955, in search of the opportunity for a better life. After briefly residing in Haledon, they moved to Wayne, where they’ve lived for the past 62 years.

Sieglinde initially worked as a private housekeeper, and as a bookkeeper, while starting her family. While working full time and raising four young children, she attended evening college classes, earning a degree in accounting. She was employed as a staff accountant by GAF/ISP in Wayne, for over 18 years.

Linda was a long-time parishioner of Our Lady of Consolation Church in Wayne, where she was a member, and at one time, treasurer, of the Amity Club.  She enjoyed classical music, cooking and baking amazing dishes like German potato salad, sauerbraten, rouladen, strudel and stollen - traveling and spending time with family and friends.  With the arrival of her first grandchild, Sieglinde ceased to be known as “mom”, and affectionately came to be known to the entire family simply as “Oma”.  While we will all miss her greatly, she will live on in the fondest memories of her family.

Sieglinde leaves behind her loving husband Josef; four children – daughters Irene Riley (Tim) and Debbie Grant, and sons Walter Kneis (Debbie) and Michael Kneis (Clare); thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren (and counting). She is also survived by three sisters and a brother, and numerous nieces and nephews.