Obituary of Maria M Knigge

Maria Knigge was born in Prosser, WA on May 21, 1954, to her parents Emilio and Esperanza Martinez. She was raised in Mabton, until her parents settled in Othello, WA, where Maria lived happily into her adulthood and eventually became a mother to her two children Felipe and Emily and married her best friend, Earl Knigge. Anyone who had the privilege of meeting Maria will tell you that she was the most kind-hearted individual - never failing to greet you with the biggest hug and a smile that would light up an entire room and brighten anyone's day. Maria always put others before herself, exemplifying the definition of a good person with a generous soul. Her energetic spirit and contagious giggle was like a magnet that attracted everyone around her. She loved to meet and talk with everyone she came across. For her, the instant in which she met you, you were immediately part of the family. For everyone, Maria was a second mom. As a grandmother, she loved spending time with her grandchildren and loved all of her nieces and nephews as though they were her very own. In her spare time she enjoyed planting flowers in her garden and baking in the kitchen. Her faith in God was strong and her favorite song was Bendito, Bendito. Maria had been battling cancer for three long years, and on July 16th, she was diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted into the hospital. Even as she lay on her hospital bed, Maria dawned a smile on her beautiful face and made sure that everyone around her was doing okay. Unfortunately, her body was not able to overcome the illness and passed away peacefully with her loved ones with her in spirit. Maria is survived by her husband, Earl Knigge; her daughter, Emily Sanchez; her son, Felipe Sanchez; her three grandchildren Josiah Ray, Kyanah Faith & Serenity Love; her sisters, Celia Gomez and Teodora "Lolie" Martinez; and her brothers, Jamie Martinez and Emilio Martinez, Jr.