Mary Ann Kruppa Knox, age 100, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2026. She was born on May 23, 1926, in Rowena, Texas, to the late Emil and Rosie Kruppa. She graduated from Patti Welder High School in 1944. On November 25, 1950, she married Joseph Lester Knox, and together they built a life rooted in family and faith.
Mary was a gifted seamstress and a wonderful cook, remembered especially for her fried chicken and pork chops. She also brought energy and good spirit to everything she enjoyed—an avid bowler and the pitcher for her softball team, the Victoria Rosebuds. Early in her working life, she was employed by Southwestern Bell as an overseas phone operator for five years, a role that reflected her reliability and care in connecting people across distances.
She loved dancing and the simple satisfaction of putting puzzles together and golfing with her grandson Trey. She cherished the open road—traveling in her motorhome with her husband throughout the United States, from Tennessee at the Grand Ole Opry to Bandera, Texas. Along the way, Mary and Joseph even met Mark Chestnut at Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar, a surprising moment that became part of the family’s remembered joys.
Above all, Mary will be remembered as a loving mother and Granny, whose warmth and steadfast presence shaped the lives of those who knew her best.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Lester Knox; her parents, Emil Joseph Kruppa and Rosie Valigura Kruppa; and her brothers, Robert, Adolph, Stephen, Joseph, Frank, John and Emil Kruppa.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Jo Schuenemann (Carroll), and her grandson, Trey Schuenemann.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 from 5 pm to 7 pm at Rosewood Funeral Chapel, with rosary following at 7 pm. Another visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 9 am at Holy Family Catholic Church, with funeral mass beginning at 10 am. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Yoakum at 1:30 pm. Serving as pallbearers will be Rob Leuschner, Zach Kruppa, Joe Knox, Robert Knox, Tyler Krueger, and Tommy Laird.
We would like to thank our extended family, Frank and Martha Espinoza and Gloria Salazar of Angel Arms Manor, for the loving care that was given to Mom over her last few years.
Thoughts and memories may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
