Birth date: Sep 27, 1930 Death date: Jul 4, 2015
Selma T. Knoepfel, age 84, of Waupaca, WI passed away Saturday, July 4, 2015. She was born September 27, 1930 in Lutcher, Louisiana, the daughter of the late Louis and Selma (Schexnayder) Esneault. Selma was united in marriage to Read Obituary
This condolence, though late, is no less heartfelt. Selma, you were a phenomenal woman. I will look at a rainbow and think "ROYGBIV", I will make your Texas Caviar and think of you, I will thank you for being my teacher and for being my friend. Jon and I have happy memories of martinis and pontoon boat rides, all those wonderful operas and much more. I am so happy that you are with Jerry again. Bless your heart Selma Knoepfel, we love you.
Every student that came in contact with Mrs. "K" learned from her. The respect she had was awesome. She was really quite a lady! All of their students were family. I do not think they missed a students party or wedding invite. Everyone was welcomed in their home or dock. God bless you, Mrs. K. I know you are happy to be with Mr. K. Give him a hug from us. Bob and Dawn Telfer. Waupaca Class of 1974 & 1975.
Before I was married to my husband, Bill Pionke, he said, “We cannot get married until you meet Jerry and Selma!” They had such a profound influence on his life. When family times were tough during his high school years, as his former and current teachers, they looked out after him. They made him a part of their family. Once we were married and had the kids, we were all blessed to be included. They were a part of our wedding and a part of Bill’s funeral. They were and are a part of our lives.
Selma, your commitment to your students and profession make Megan, Corey and myself proud to be teachers. You exemplified everything we all strive to be as teachers.
I like to now picture Selma, Jerry and Bill cruising the heavens on a pontoon boat, enjoying Tanqueray and tonic with lime.
Thank you for sharing Yourself~With Much Love,
William Pionke Family [Karen, Megan, BJ (Will), Corey and Brennan]
Having been very active in the high school musicals, I was often asked if I wanted to be just like Mr. Knoepfel when I grew up. What I never said out loud until many years after I graduated but what always went silently through my head was, "No, I want to be just like Mrs. Knoepfel." To me she was the living embodiment of everything I wanted to be a....female scientist. I remember every inch of her classroom, filled with preserved animals and dissection kits. I remember her blue lab coat and the microscopes. Because I was able to see a living, breathing scientist and educator in Mrs. Knoepfel, I went on to become one....earning a joint PhD in clinical psychology and neuroscience and becoming the first woman to be awarded early tenure at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Years ago I was brought to tears by author Vivian Gornick, who capture the essence of what Mrs. Knoepfel meant to me.....
" I have been deeply moved by the resourcefulness of women in science rather than by their victimization, and amazed by the variety of their personalities, their experiences, and their activity. I discovered how passionate an enterprise science is - how like artists scientists are - and that hundreds of women who possessed the driving spirit, the pressing hunger, occupied peripheral, often humiliating positions for twenty and thirty years in order to DO science. You could not keep them out of the human enterprise, and because you could not keep them out they have created a history, left a legacy, had consequences. Together with the contemporary women's movement, they have formed a wedge, making the opening for women in science larger than ever before so that today - while the profession is still without anything that resembles parity - innumerable women in science are where they belong, in possession of grants, professorships, and laboratories, and thousands of young women think it perfectly natural that they should become scientists." VIVIAN GORNICK,, author WOMEN IN SCIENCE
For years this quote hung on my office door at the University and I never read it without tearing up a little or thinking of Mrs. Knoepfel. My own graduate and undergraduate female students have gone on to earn tenure at other universities, thanks to the example you set as a professional. Thank you for the gift Mrs. Knoepfel....one that I will never be able to repay. Give my love to Mr. K.
-Rhea Steinpreis, PhD
I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family of Selma. May her soul rest in peace. Fr. Amal.
How sad to know one of the best people ever is no longer with us. I had some great times with Selma and Gerry at their home and with their good friends the Freiburger family. Selma and Gerry will remain alive in the hearts of many. My condolences to Selma's family and all who knew and loved her.
As I posted her information on our Class of 1976 Facebook Group page I had to type her name and as I typed it I remember her spelling it for our science class as she had written it on the chalk board. She was a great teacher and community member, she will be sadly missed and missed by many. What a legacy for our community to have both her and Jerry.
Terri Schulz
Waupaca WI
Class of 1976
Mrs. Knoepfel will always be one of my favorite teachers. It was great to have a strong woman early on in the sciences! What a great influence. I have to say I know I was the teacher's pet in that class...I fell asleep one time in her class...and instead of getting reprimanded...she rushed over and felt my forehead because she was truly concerned I was sick! What a great woman!
Gwen Weisbrod
"You're my best girl, and nothing you do is wrong. I'm proud you belong to me."
Selma was my 7th science teacher the same year the middle school music program loaned me out to the high school to play Young Patrick in Jerry's "Mame."
She gave me a hug and kiss on closing night at curtain call when I gave her flowers from the cast.The play didn't make me famous, but that kiss on the cheek from Selma made me almost legendary.
She was a wonderful teacher, stage mom, and a powerful force who brought music, science, learning and pride to the souls and minds of so many of us.
"Place your chairs beneath your tables, please. You're excused."
I love you, Mrs. K.
Ryan (Malone) Reisman
her student, 1978-79,
and always her Patrick
Las Vegas, Nevada
