Anna Lou Simplicio Knauf
Born on October 7, 1931 in Keystone, West VirginiaDeparted May 27, 2023 in Melbourne, Florida
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Anna Lou Simplicio Knauf of Melbourne, FL on May 27, 2023, beloved mother, sister, aunt, nana, and dear friend.
Born October 7, 1931, in Keystone, WV, she was the second of ten children born to Italian immigrants Antonio Simplicio and Giustina Benedetto Simplicio. Growing up, she developed a talent for music and baking (a master pie maker!) which her many siblings enjoyed immensely.
After graduating from Northfork High School in 1949, Anna obtained a degree from Concord College, Athens, WV, and continued her education at American University in Washington, DC. She flourished at college, enjoying the beauty, culture, and music opportunities available in our nation’s amazing capital city.
She later moved to Eau Gallie, Florida, in the mid 1950’s while working for Pan Am Airlines, where she met her future husband Frank Knauf, Jr. They shared their interest in reading, flying planes, gardening, travel, farm life, a strong work ethic and family commitments. She and Frank were married on Valentine’s Day, 1958 in Powhatan, WV and a whole new adventure began.
After spending time in Germany with Frank who was stationed there while serving in the Army, the couple returned to Florida. Once establishing roots in the Melbourne, FL area, she became a parishioner at Ascension Catholic Church and the couple later started a small but successful Real Estate Agency, which continued until their retirement in the mid-1990s. She managed her family of eight children with a loving heart, comforting smile, devout faith, sharp intellect, and a firm grip of family values.
Anna was truly a role model and inspiration with the sweetest disposition. She was a blessing to many and was blessed by a beautiful family who provided gentle, loving care for her until the very end. The large void in our hearts can never be filled.
In addition to her parents, Anna is pre-deceased by her husband of 60 years, Frank R Knauf, Jr, son Howard Knauf, sons-in-law, Eric Loenichen and John Runyon, sisters, Josephine Kiebler, Antonette Simplicio, Nancy Simplicio; brothers Vasile, Luke and Anthony Simplicio, Jr., bros-in-law, Eddie Shea and Tom Powers.
Survivors include her sisters Micheline Shea Noble, Giustina (Toby) Rhodes, Rosalie (James) Owrey; brother-in-law Giorgio Curletto; her children Marian Loenichen, Valerie (Kevin) Runyon, Nancy Petratuona, David (Isela) Knauf, Della Knauf, Sonja (John) Apfelthaler, Frank R. Knauf, III and daughter-in-law Debbra Knauf; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, and nieces.
A heartfelt thank you to family and all who were involved with Anna’s care, in particular, her loving and devoted assistants Gabriel and Maggie. An additional thank you to Deacon Bill, who made countless visits to continue her Catholic faith.
A service to celebrate Anna’s life will be held at Ascension Catholic Church, 2950 N. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32935, with a viewing at 10:00 a.m. and a funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 8, 2023. With interment to follow at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 5525 US-1, Mims, FL 32754, at 2:30 p.m.