Eileen Knothe

Eileen Catherine Doyle was born in Sparta, Wisconsin on February 21, 1930, to Joseph Leo Doyle and Coletta DeMuth Doyle. Most of her ancestors are from Ireland and Luxembourg. She grew up in Sparta with her sisters, Jeanne and Mary, and her brothers, Johnny and Pat. Eileen graduated from Sparta High School and received her nursing training at St. Francis School of Nursing in La Crosse.

Mutual friends introduced Eileen to Jack Knothe. They quickly fell in love and were one of the first couples married at Blessed Sacrament Church in La Crosse. Soon after, they moved to the southside of La Crosse and became early parishioners of St. Thomas More.

Eileen excelled as the mother to Joan, John, Philip, Terry, Ann, and Tom. She also extended her family love to several foster children, including Kathy and Bonnie Bloom and LaRaye Larson. Eileen always found time to attend to her kid's games, practices, lessons and junior golf, as well as volunteer in her parish and community, and of course enjoy time with family and friends at the cottage.

In 1968, Eileen and Jack got into the wholesale beer industry. They remained distributors of the Miller brands until 1984 when they handed the business down to their sons, John and Philip. Eileen and Jack spent winters in Hawaii and Florida, but always considered La Crosse their hometown. While Eileen's long-time friend base was in La Crosse, she easily made dear friends wherever she lived. She made everywhere she lived feel like home. She loved living at the Cass Street Assisted Living complex the past five years, and it provided her with a wonderful community of friends and helpers that allowed her to thrive.

Eileen is survived by her sister Jeanne Doyle Salmon and sister-in-law Carlyn Doyle; Eileen's children Joan Knothe Stein of San Diego, John Knothe and his wife, Peggy, of Charleston, Terry Knothe Lash and her husband, Kenneth, of La Crosse, daughter-in-law, Theresa Knothe of La Crosse, Ann Knothe Ritter and her husband, Mike, of Madison, and Tom Knothe and his wife, Diane, of La Crosse. Many much-loved grandchildren and great grandchildren also survive Eileen. Predeceasing Eileen were her parents, her sister, Mary Rafferty, her brothers, Johnny and Pat Doyle, a son Philip Knothe, and two grandsons, Michael Knothe and Conor Stein.

Eileen's family extends heartfelt gratitude to the Mayo Hospice team (nurse Ellyn) that extended loving support to all of us, to Father Billy Dodge and Deacon David Allen for their spiritual direction and support, and the amazing staff at Cass Street Assisted Living for their dedication and support of Eileen's comfort and happiness. Over the years, Eileen received such nice, passionate care from the Mayo Healthcare System and in particular Doctors Pavela, Skemp, Stevens, and Winegarden, amongst others.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am, Friday, January 3, 2025 at Blessed Sacrament Church, 130 Losey Blvd. S, LaCrosse, with Rev. Billy Dodge officiating. Family and friends may gather for a visitation one hour prior to Mass. Entombment will take place following the Mass at The Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials preferred to Mayo Clinic - La Crosse Hospice Care. Gifts may be made online at philanthropy.mayoclinic.org or by check made payable to Mayo Clinic to:

Mayo Clinic

Department of Development

200 First St. SW

Rochester, MN 55905

A livestream of the Mass can be found on the YouTube link at https://www.bsplacrosse.org/