Edith Cripe Knauer

Edith Cripe Knauer, 97, died peacefully at her cherished Lakeway home on 12 July 2023, surrounded by her children. Edie, as she was fondly known, was born in Kendallville, IN, on 20 October 1925 to Leila and Otis Cripe.

Edith’s musical path began with piano instruction at age 5, cello study at age 9, and a professional pipe organ position at age 10. While in HS, she was first cellist in the Ft. Wayne Symphony. She also was Valedictorian of her class, with the highest GPA ever attained. Edith met her future husband during HS too. Tom was the star athlete, drum major, and trombone player from Avilla, a nearby town. They were introduced at their county fair, but WWII interrupted their courtship. He was drafted and she went to Oberlin.

After Edith graduated from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, with a major in piano and minor in cello, she married Tom on 9 July 1948. They both headed to Indiana University where she earned her Master of Music degree in Performing Piano. Then she was invited by North Texas State University to be on the piano faculty and they moved to Texas. Later, she followed her husband as he pursued his career in the oil business.

Edith was always musically active. In Houston, she continued performing, was on the Symphony Board, and was active in the prestigious Tuesday Music Club. In 1958 she moved with her growing family to Maracaibo, Venezuela, until moving to Jakarta, Indonesia, in 1977.

During her years abroad she raised her family, established deep roots and life-long friends, taught piano to gifted students, performed often, traveled extensively, was the organist and choral director at her churches, and lived life to its fullest. Summers were spent in the US visiting relatives, touring the country and creating memories at the YMCA of the Rockies. In Maracaibo she played with the Symphony and Noches Musicales. In Jakarta she was the first to introduce music in deaf schools, and performed often at the residence of the US Ambassador and other international events. Wherever she lived and traveled, she was known as an accomplished and respected concert pianist.

Returning to the US in 1985, she joined Austin’s WMMC as a regular performer. During her term as President, 1991-1993, the club was awarded the P. Schramm Award for Best American Music Program in the US, and in 2005 she became the WMMC Distinguished Service Member. She was a proud NFMC member. Edith was also a member of the Austin Woman’s Club, served on various Lakeway cultural and artistic committees, and played golf and bridge often. In recent decades her mantra was that Lakeway is a wonderful place to grow old.

Edith led a long and extraordinary life. She was a gracious and strong woman who always pursued excellence. She counted her blessings daily. Those who knew her well would describe her as a devoted wife, a supportive mother, an enthusiastic grandmother, a loyal friend, a consummate perfectionist, a natural leader, an avid reader, an inspiring mentor, an energetic volunteer, a competitive athlete, an elegant hostess, and an eternal optimist. Her performances were incomparable, and these pieces will forever evoke her memory: Lecuona’s Malagueña, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Gottschalk’s Souvenir de Porto Rico, Mozart’s Ah, Vous Dirai-je Maman and Debussy’s Clair de Lune arranged by Bock. She and her music will forever be in our hearts and minds.

Edith was predeceased by her loving husband of 53 years, Thomas George Knauer, her dear brother, Clair A. Cripe, and son-in-law Curtis R. Davis II.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Jennifer Knauer Davis, of Portland, TX, Haryaksha Gregor Knauer, of Williams, AZ, Susan Claudia Knauer Stengel, of Bellemeade, TN, and Kirk Jonathan Knauer and his wife Sylvia, of Mill Valley, CA.

Left to continue her legacy are her grandchildren, who affectionately called her Nenek and Cuckoo: Edith Chloe Knauer, Dylan Curtis Robert Davis (Kimmie), Duncan Thomas Knauer Davis (Camilla), Alexandra Knauer, Ben Knauer, Patrick Knauer, August Stengel and Otis Stengel; her great-grandchild, Dashiell; and nieces Lynette Cripe and Carla Cripe Mackail.

Edith often ended her communications with the beautiful biblical word: Selah.

A memorial service to celebrate Edith’s life will be at 11 am, Saturday, 12 August 2023, at St. Luke’s on the Lake. Donations to honor her memory may be made to the Oberlin Conservatory of Music: advance.oberlin.edu/donate