Sister Mary Jane Knitter

Sister Mary Jane (Angela) Knitter, age 90, a Sister of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis for 72 years, died on February 13, 2026, at Edenbrook Nursing Home in Appleton, WI. Sister was born in Stevens Point, WI, on March 26, 1935, to Anthony and Eva (Jakubowski) Knitter.

Sister Mary Jane attended St. Peter School and entered and graduated from St. Joseph Academy/Maria High School. Mary Jane furthered her education and received a BS degree in Education from St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI and a master’s degree in religious studies at St. Louis University in St. Louis, MO.

Mary Jane entered the congregation in 1954 and upon her investing as a novice, received the religious name of Sister Mary Angela. She professed her vows in August of 1956 . She began her teaching ministry at St. Mary of the Angels in Green Bay, WI, SS. Cyrill & Methodius in Green Bay, St. Michael in Beaver Dam and St. Hedwig in Thorp, WI. In 1984, she became the novice minister and later the Minister for Temporary Professed candidates for the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. These roles help prepare young women for vowed religious life . While novice minister, she lived in South Bend, IN, she also returned to teaching at St. Patrick School in Walkerton, IN and focused her ministry as music teacher, liturgical director, and organist. Sister returned to Wisconsin and resided at Holy Spirit Parish, in Kimberly, WI, and ministered as music director and organist at St. Therese Parish in Appleton, WI.

Sister Mary Jane is survived by her sisters Judith Bemke, brother-in-law, Walter Bemke, Kathleen Worzalla, nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. She is preceded in death by her parents, Anthony and Eva Rose (Jacobowski) Knitter and brother, Joseph, and brother-in-law, Gene Worzalla.

Visitation for Sister Mary Jane will take place at Holy Spirit Parish in Stevens Point on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. A celebration of liturgy will follow with burial at the Sister’s Cemetery on the former grounds of St. Joseph Convent now known as The Grove. For online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com

We invite and encourage those wishing to order flowers for Sister Mary Jane to do so directly on the Pisarski Funeral Home website which will take you to a local florist. This will ensure timely delivery.