Tobie Lee Mary Knaack was taken from us far too soon on May 20, 2020, leaving this world not long after her husband. She was born on Nov. 29, 1950, in Duluth, Minnesota, to Henry and Mary (Mullen) Hedberg. As an Air Force brat, she lived in many places during her youth, including Japan. Her family finally settled in Sumner, Washington, where she graduated from high school in 1969. It was at Sumner High School that she met and began dating her future husband, Ronald Knaack, whom she married in 1972.

Tobie was everyone’s mom, but she was “Ma” to their only son, Ronald Jr., born in 1976. She held numerous jobs over the years, including hairdresser, pumpkin painter, tree farm cashier, and deli lady at Pierce College. She also volunteered in her son’s schools and at the Lake Quinault Museum. She spent the past 15 years living in Neilton, where she and her husband operated Rubie’s Wines, Spirits & Country Emporium. She was also involved in Community of Christ Church and enjoyed playing “Quinault rummy” with the neighbor ladies.

Tobie was also everyone’s grandma – she loved children and adored spoiling them. She enjoyed reading, visiting the casino, and could quote almost every John Wayne movie ever filmed. She was well known for tripping over the wind – there are dozens of stories of Tobie laughing at her own two left feet. She could be relied on if you ever just needed to talk – she was happy to sit down with you to chat and always wanted to catch up on all the good gossip.

Tobie is preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Ron and Jill Knaack of Tacoma, and her adopted children Chris and Trish Perrigo of Amanda Park. She will be desperately missed by her grandchildren Ashlyn “Squeezins” and Arianna “Beans” Knaack, and Hunter “Bentley” and Isabella “Boo” Perrigo.

She is also survived by her siblings Patricia (Henry) Bacon of Gig Harbor, James (Christine) Hedberg of Oak Harbor, and Henry (Lynn) Hedberg of Sumner; her godsons Payton “Bubba” Hedberg of Orting and Marcus “Spud” Hedberg of San Diego. She leaves behind 4 nieces and 9 nephews and will be missed by droves of family, friends, and acquaintances.

A shared celebration of life for Ron and Tobie will be held once current circumstances pass. If you feel like celebrating Tobie’s life now, we encourage you to donate in her memory to St. Jude’s.

Arrangements are by the Coleman Mortuary, 422 5th Street in Hoquiam.

Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the on line register at www.colemanmortuary.net.