Margaret S. "Peggy" Knoepfle

Peggy was born on October 30, 1934, in Denver, CO, the daughter of James and Agnes (Close) Sower. As a child, she had many adventures with her siblings at Anderson Ranch Canyon, ID. Her father’s engineering career took them to several places including Lima, Peru where as a teenager she attended university and fell in love with Latin American culture. Her family then moved to Cincinnati, OH., where she met the love of her life, John Knoepfle. They were married on December 26, 1956, for 63 years. They started a family in St. Louis and moved to Auburn, Illinois where they raised their four children.

Peggy was brilliant, creative, and passionate about her causes. She was a devout Christian, advocating for human rights, peace, freedom, and equality for all, as well as nature conservation of the planet. She was an active member in Springfield at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation. She had a special place in her heart for the Dominican Nuns. Peggy volunteered countless hours helping the homeless and vulnerable in Springfield.

She studied at several universities, earning her bachelor’s degree at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and a master’s degree in Communications from Sangamon State University, in Springfield, Illinois, all the while raising four children and supporting her husband’s academic endeavors. For many years, Peggy was employed as an associative editor at Illinois Issues. She was a lifelong Democrat. She published the book “After Alinsky: Community Organizing in Illinois,” which includes an interview with the future president Barack Obama. She and her dear friend, Rosie Richmond, also produced a public access television series called Works and Progress. As an avid writer, she co-founded Brainchild Writers, a women’s writing collective. Her poems were published in a variety of magazines and anthologies.

Peggy was a member of Springfield Area Solidary, Witness for Peace (including her missionary work of five trips to Nicaragua and one trip to Columbia and Cuba). She was also a chair of the Marywood branch of the Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom. She co-founded the Auburn Food Pantry in Auburn, Illinois. She participated in the conservation of Revis Prairie and advocated for the Hutchen’s Creek Wilderness area in southern IL, which was later established. She also managed a fair-trade retail store.

Her work as an activist included participating in numerous peaceful demonstrations for human rights in Washington D.C, Miami, Decatur, Chicago, and Springfield. Her honors include the 1997 National Home Time Video Award: “Journey to Nicaragua,” Honorable Mention, 2002 Springfield YWCA “Women of Excellence,” and 2003 “Humanitarian of the Year,” Greater Springfield Interfaith Association. An avid philanthropist she donated to scores of charities and sponsored many foster children.

Most recently in 2021 after surviving COVID-19 she had a great adventure to Alaska and many road trips in Illinois with her family. She continued to enjoy her writers’ group and her many activities at her Hickory Glen home.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Knoepfle; and her infant son, James Girard Knoepfle.

Peggy is survived by her sons, John M. Knoepfle of St. Paul, MN, David (Robin) Knoepfle of Springfield, and Christopher B. Knoepfle of Springfield; daughter, Molly (Rodney) Evans of Anchorage, AK; grandchildren, Emily Evans, Austin Dowis, Molly Knoepfle, and Hannah Knoepfle; brother, Jim Sower of Dunedin, FL; sisters, Elinor Petuskey of Auburn, CA and Molly Sugarman of New York, NY; and many nieces and nephews.

In memory of Peggy, her family will host a Celebration of Life and Food Drive for the Auburn Food Pantry on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at the Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalists Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, Springfield, IL 62711. A memorial gathering will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12: 45 p.m. with the Celebration of Life following at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Martin Woulfe officiating. A reception will follow.

Private burial will be held at Camp Butler National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest with her husband, John.

Memorial contributions may be made to Auburn Food Pantry, 125 E. Washington St., Auburn, IL 62615.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.