Madelyn Jane Knuth, 88, entered her heavenly home on Thursday, April 2, 2020.  She had been a resident of Lutheran Life Villages on South Anthony, Fort Wayne, since May of 2018.

She was born daughter of Harry Franklin and Agnes Mae (Sorgen) Lopshire. She spent the majority of her life in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with the exception of her home at Knapp Lake in the 1970's.

Madelyn was baptized on May 1, 1938, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Mary's Avenue, where she attended school through Grade 8 and was confirmed on March 25, 1941. She attended North Side High School.

She learned to cook at an early age for her brothers and sisters as her mother went to work at General Electric during World War II, while three of her brothers served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

At Age 16, Madelyn secured her first job at Kreskes Dime Store, downtown Fort Wayne, making $.50 per hour at the candy counter, later helping make bon-bons and pies. She also enjoyed spinning 45 RPM records for customers. In later years, she sold cosmetics at Wolf & Dessauer Department Store.

On October 15, 1949, she was united in marriage to Frederick G."Ted" Knuth. They celebrated their 50 ^th Wedding Anniversary in October 1999 at the Jim Eby VFW Post 857 on West Main Street, where Madelyn later became a member of their Ladies Auxiliary after Ted passed away February 13, 2000.

Madelyn spent her summers tending to her flower gardens and plants.  She loved feeding peanuts to the blue jays and had regular visits by neighborhood squirrels and hummingbirds.

She enjoyed working with sisters Marge and Kate at Marge's Diner. Then she was head cook at Five Points Restaurant on Goshen Road, later helping with school lunches at Trinity. She loved making dozens of Christmas cookies and various holiday candies.

Sewing was an additional hobby. She created Barbie Doll clothes for her nieces and in her senior years, designed and hand sewed quilts for her home and family.

Church life at Trinity was very important to Madelyn.  She taught Sunday School 25 years; was a Sunday School Superintendent 8 years; assisted with many Vacation Bible Schools; taught Bible Classes; and served on the Church Board, Ladies Group and Evangelism team. At the Foehlinger Theater she setup refreshments for Trinity's Worship in the Park, as well as planning and serving at many social church events.

Honoring and remembering Veterans was a cherished service for Madelyn.  She volunteered at the VA Hospital as a patient visitor for the Department of Veteran's Affairs program for 12 years.  After tracing her family's history at the Allen County Public Library, she qualified and became a member of the Mary Penrose Wayne Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).  She was thrilled when they asked her to present American Flag programs for schools, churches, nursing homes and hospitals.

Madelyn traveled to numerous NASCAR races with her friend, Louie Rosa. She was an avid fan of Jeff Gordon and collected No. 24 memorabilia.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband (U.S. Navy Veteran); siblings Richard (Jeanette), Robert, Margaret (Jim Baker), Katherine (Don Vachon), Franklin (Mary), Dale, Harold (Elaine) and Alyce (William Owen).

She is survived by her two sons, Kenneth K Knuth (Barbara), Columbia City and Steven R. Knuth (Carla), Fort Wayne; five grandchildren, Daniel Knuth, Columbia City, F. Shane Knuth, Fort Wayne, Thomas Knuth (Cari), Fort Wayne, Shantel Knuth, Fort Wayne, and Tara Knuth, Fort Wayne; six great grandchildren, Mason and Emerson Knuth, Deacon Knuth, Katie Davis, and Gilliana and Cecily Knuth; sister in law, Joan Lopshire of Sierra Vista, Arizona; and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a private funeral service for the immediate family. A memorial service at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1636 St. Marys Avenue for family and friends, is being planned for a later date and will be announced in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be given to Trinity.