Marilynn Jean Knauer, 69, of Buffalo peacefully passed away on July 27, 2017, at home after undergoing treatment for her third incidence of cancer. Marilynn was born August 25, 1947, in Jefferson City, MO to Harold N. and Barbara A. (Piper) Wieneke. Marilynn will always be remembered by her loved ones and those that knew her as the \"best mom ever\", selfless, always giving of her time and attention, loving, compassionate, kind, supporting, comforting and a dedicated teacher.  She loved nature, animals, art and books.  She enjoyed quilting and making clothes for her grandchildren.  She liked to spend quality time with her family and friends.Marilynn graduated from high school in Lathrop, MO in 1965.  She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Northwest Missouri State College in 1969, and a Master of Arts degree in Zoology from the University of Missouri in 1974.She married Dean F. Knauer July 29, 1972, in Columbia, MO.  Marilynn taught math and science in middle school for several years while living in Mound City, MO.Marilynn moved around the country always living on National Wildlife Refuges with her husband, Dean.  They lived on Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) at Mound City, MO, DeSoto NWR at Missouri Valley, IA, Malheur NWR at Burns, OR and Upper Souris NWR at Carpio, ND.  She loved living on rural wildlife refuges and bringing up two wonderful daughters away from the hustle and bustle of city living.  Marilynn and Dean moved to Buffalo in 2006.  She received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Major in Art from Minot State University.  As an artist she liked to work with watercolor, acrylic, pen and pencil, and screen printing media.  People never got tired of looking at her varied collection of artwork centered around vegetables.Marilynn was a member of St Luke\'s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Buffalo.  She was very active in the church and enjoyed studying the bible and enriching her knowledge and faith.  She was a member of the Buffalo Quilting Gals where she helped sew many quilts that were donated to Buffalo organizations to raise funds.  She loved to attend the Loose Threads group and work together with the other ladies.Marilynn was preceded in death by her parents and stepmother LaVeda Mae (Blacksmith) Wieneke.  She is survived by her husband, Dean and their children, Kristy (Deryk) Riveland of Golden, CO and Lisa Knauer of Golden, CO, and grandchildren, Kyra and Fynnegan Riveland and sisters, Elizabeth Spurgeon of Lathrop, MO, Beverly (Claud) Fleener of McKinney, TX and Barbara Wieneke of Limerick, PA. A celebration of her life will be held at St Luke\'s Evangelical Lutheran Church Friday, August 25,2017, (her birthday) at 11:00 am, 615 N. Burritt Ave, Buffalo, Wyoming.In lieu of flowers or memorials, Marilynn would have suggested taking time to instill in a child the love of nature and animals.  Spend time teaching a child a skill or a craft or the appreciation for the arts.  Donations to organizations in her name that promote these ideas would also be appropriate.Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.