Agatha Naomi Knaak, 102, passed away peacefully at Liberty Village Manor Court on July 7, 2023 in Rochelle, Illinois, surrounded by her loving family. Agatha was born on July 8, 1920 to Neal Pleasant and Oma (Edwards) Pleasant in Cambria, Illinois.  She had a very inquisitive mind and loved school; she remembers being the champion multiplier in 3rd grade! She also loved literature and poetry, passing her love of reading to many in the family.  Agatha graduated from Elgin High School in 1938 where she played basketball and was first chair in the orchestra on the viola.  She shared stories of walking 2 miles through the woods to school, staying warm by the potbelly stove, and riding her horse bareback. Agatha married Frank "Bud" Knaak on June 22, 1940 at the House of Hope Presbyterian Church in Elgin, IL.

Agatha worked at Sherman Hospital in Elgin, IL. and taught Sunday School at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church where she later became Superintendent of Sunday School. Bud and Agatha raised their children, Jim, Jerry, and Peggy in Elgin and moved to Rochelle, IL in 1991 to be closer to family. They were married 73 years before Bud passed away in 2013.   Agatha was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rochelle. She loved to read her daily devotions and would still listen to the Sunday sermons on her treasured transistor radio.  "Gram" loved her family and her greatest joy was spending time with them. She lived by the motto, "Life is uncertain; eat dessert first!" It was such a gift that she was able to share so much of her life with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had a very sweet spirit with strong convictions and was loved by all who were blessed to know her. When asked on her 102nd birthday about her secret to a long life, she simply said, "Trust in the Lord and He will take care of everything."

She is survived by her twin children, daughter Peggy (Chuck) Wagner and son Jerry (Judy) Knaak, both of Rochelle; daughter-in-law Rebeca Knaak; sister Caroljean Johnson; seven grandchildren: Debbie (Vince) O'Brien, Dede (Tim) Ponto, Wendy Gilbert, Benjamin (Jamie) Knaak, Christopher (Jennifer) Knaak, Andy Knaak, Dan (Jenny) Knaak; eleven great grandchildren: Kiley and Kelsey O'Brien, Mallory, Lauren, and Taylor Ponto, Alex Gilbert, Everett Knaak, Tyler, Hunter, Charles, and Emmett Knaak; one great great grandchild, Wilder Knaak; and many special nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Frank Knaak on August 9, 2013; son James Knaak; stepfather Carl Linden; brother William Pleasant; sister-in-law Maxine Pleasant; brother-in-law Sonny Johnson; grandson-in-law Erik Gilbert; great grandsons Mark and Alexander O'Brien and special lifelong friend Gertrude Patterson.

There will be a private service and burial for the family at Lawnridge Cemetery.  Cremation care has been provided by the Unger Horner Funeral Home.  Memorials can be made in Agatha's memory to Unity Hospice of Rochelle.