Ina Knauff (Saari)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Aunt Ina. She spent her final hours with her dearest friend and relative, Sharon Tysz, by her side.
Ina passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 14, 2005 at Rainycrest Home for the Aged in Fort Frances, Ont., just four days before her 98th birthday.
Ina was the first-born of eight children to parents John and Liisa (Yousila) Saari. She was born April 18, 1907 and raised in the small town of Biwabik, Mn.
Ina moved to Fort Frances in 1929 after she met and fell in love with “Uncle Horace.”
On July 27, 1929, Ina married the love of her life, Horace Knauff, in International Falls, Mn. Ina and Horace spent 56 wonderful years together in Fort Frances.
Having no children of their own, they opened their hearts and home to many, many friends and family. Together, they had a passion for fishing, hunting, boating, and entertaining at their cabin on Grassy Narrows.
Ina’s life centered around her family, her friends, and the great outdoors. She loved spending time at the lake entertaining and just having fun. Ina also enjoyed cooking, gardening, knitting, and playing cards.
She was feisty and independent, loved to travel, and she had a wonderful sense of humour!
One of her greatest joys was being in the company of young people; especially her numerous nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and friends. Ina will always be remembered for the wonderful ways in which she touched so many lives.
The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the wonderful nursing staff at Rainycrest Home for the Aged for their care and compassion over the past five years.
Ina will be sadly missed by her Fort Frances family, Sharon Tysz, Jan Tysz, Rob Tysz and his wife, Cathy, and son Kevin, Terry Tysz and his wife, Cindy, and son, Ben, Patrick Tysz and his wife, Kitty, and son, Steven, and Tara Tysz and son, Brendan.
She also will be missed by her good friend, Ingrid Christiansen of Fort Frances, Ont.
Ina also is survived by her nephew, Gerry Saari (Gwen) of Biwabik, Mn.; niece, June Askegaard (Ron) of Foxboro, Wis.; niece, Patricia (Terry) Hamner of Cleveland, Ohio; nephew, Donald (Jane) Johnson of Lake Vermillion, Tower, Mn.; and many grand nieces, grand nephews, and family members.
Ina was predeceased by her beloved husband, Horace, in 1986; father, John Saari; mother, Liisa (Yousila) Saari; sisters, Evelyn Maki, Lilly Anderson, Helen Basista, and Mae Nelson; and brothers, John, George, and Eino Saari.
For those of you who were fortunate enough to have known Aunt Ina, you can feel joy and peace in knowing that she lived a very full and rewarding life.
Some words of wisdom from Aunt Ina to pass on to the next generation:
•You only get to do it once, so make sure you do it right; and
•Save those pennies because they eventually turn into dollars
“We are so glad to have had you as part of our world.” Love from your family.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to Rainycrest Home for the Aged, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont.
A private family service will be held at a later date.