August 23, 1937 - May 11, 2021 The family is planning a memorial service in Vienna, where Waltraut will be interred in the Central Lutheran Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, c/o the funeral home. |
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Age 83, passed away on May 11, 2021. Waltraut was born in Vienna, Austria, on August 23,1937, the daughter of Jakob and Emma (Wenzl) Knoll. She was educated in Vienna and later received a Ph.D from the University of Basle, Switzerland. She spent 2 ½ years at the University of Illinois as a post-doctoral fellow and worked for another 2 ½ years at Immuno AG, Vienna. In 1975, she joined the Upjohn Company. Her life-long passions included photography and she was a member of a local photo club. She enjoyed skiing and for many years she was a member of National Ski Patrol. She also enjoyed hiking, backpacking and nature. A life-long learner, she had recently taken a Spanish conversation class. She was active in the local chapter of Friendship Force, a cultural organization which promotes understanding, cultural education and citizen diplomacy through home-stay journeys and personal friendships. She was an avid traveler and had visited Africa, Asia, and North and South America. Furthermore she was – until the very last day of her life – interested in politics and history in the US as well as in Europe. She was a dedicated, caring , lovely aunt always interested in her niece’s and nephew’s lives. Her nieces Barbara and Szilvia were invited by her to the United States and had this way the chance to get to know the most beautiful and unique landscapes in the US! Waltraut was a real family person, someone who never missed a birthday or forgot to send a Christmas present to her little nieces and nephews! Waltraut will be dearly missed by her family and friends! Waltraut is survived by her brothers, Dieter Knoll and Harald Knoll, both of Vienna; nieces and nephews: Ulrike, Barbara, Szilvia, Karin, Peter and Fabian; and countless friends. She is also survived by her faithful service dog, Jag. She was preceded in death by her parents. |