William Knopf

William Bigelow Knopf, "Uncle Bill", was born in Austin, Minnesota on April 18th, 1955 to Glenn Knopf and Elizabeth Bigelow. He graduated from Austin High School in 1973. He married Sandra Kay Stundahl on July 24th, 1975 in Rochester, Minnesota. He worked many interesting jobs over the years, including Sterling Drug Store and Armored Car, but his role as a doorman at St Mary's Hospital in Rochester was his most significant. He took great pride in his job and received many compliments for how personable, kind, and helpful he was. He always had an interesting story about who he had met or what interesting things he'd been tasked to accomplish.

He struggled with his health over the years, but lived by the motto that "laughter is the best medicine." His laugh was one of the most beautiful things about him, even if it often came at the expense of a particularly bad joke. He was interested and participated in many research studies at Mayo Clinic, often regarding his kidney transplants and kidney disease and was very excited that research into his illness could help someone else in the future.

In his free time he enjoyed amateur radio (N0NUV), making cigar box guitars, playing the piano, researching his and Sandra's family trees, and doing crossword puzzles on his tablet. He also loved to travel, especially to Mackinac Island, Door County, and Hawaii. He was greatly loved by his many friends and family and will be missed by them all.

He is survived by his wife Sandra, daughter Melissa, brothers Chuck and Thomas, grandson William, granddaughter Lillian, many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, father in law Erling Stundahl, and son Jeffrey.

In lieu of cards, please consider a donation to the American Kidney Fund or the Gift of Life Transplant House in honor of Bill.

Funeral services will be at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 pm on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home and also one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Knopf family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.