Douglas V. Knight

Douglas Knight (87) of Eau Claire, Wisconsin died at home on June 9, 2023 surrounded by family.

Doug was born in Eau Claire to Hannah Thompson Knight and Chester Knight on February 14, 1936, hence his middle name Valentine. (As he liked to say he was born a sweetheart, never changed.) He was the youngest-and the last surviving of seven children.  

Doug had a strong work ethic beginning at a young age; he went door to door peddling produce from the family farm with his siblings to help his mom pay the mortgage. Throughout his teens, he worked at a root beer stand; delivered newspapers; and did various jobs for Max Lasker. Being the last child at home when his father passed away, he helped cover the bills, often without his mother’s knowledge. While busy with school and work, music also played a big part in his life. He played the tenor saxophone in the Dick Hoff Band for dances and other gigs while in school. He also played in the Sarge Boyd marching and concert band at Eau Claire Senior High School for the last four of a Knight sibling 20-year reign. After graduating high school in 1954, he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and then took a break to enter the air force, serving most of his time during the Korean War as a chaplain’s assistant (and simultaneously as a bouncer in the airmen’s club) in Japan, which he loved. Upon his return, he completed his bachelor's degree and went on to earn a Master of Social Work degree at the University of Minnesota.  He spent his career working for the State of Wisconsin in Ashland, Stevens Point, and finally Chippewa Falls at Northern Center for the Developmentally Disabled, where he worked for several decades.  

In 1974 he married Karen Kemper, his wife of almost 49 years. He was a social worker by day, but quickly became a self taught jack of all trades, as he worked nights and weekends on the rentals they purchased and maintained to support a growing family. He was active in the Republican Party back in the day, serving as the chairman for the Eau Claire County party and later chairman for the 3rd District.

After “retirement,” Doug consulted for nursing homes, continued his work on the state and national boards of social work and co-led Stevens Ministry at Bethesda Lutheran Church with his wife. In 2005, God opened the door for the couple to provide transitional housing for men trying to reintegrate into the community. They put their training and faith into action, turned their rentals into housing for men needing a place to call home, and helped found the nonprofit, Choose Aftercare.

As a father and grandfather, Doug will be remembered for many things including his self-deprecating sense of humor, funny limericks and songs, grilled Thanksgiving turkeys, and poppa burgers.  He loved to fish and spend time with family. A day was not successful unless he had accomplished something. Later in life, as health challenges slowed him down, he took on a passion for gardening, looking forward to the heat of the Wisconsin summers and the bounty of the fall. He often started the day by reading the obits over a cup of coffee, declaring upon finishing, “Well, I don’t see my name in the obits today. Better get up and get at it.” Sadly, today is not one of those days; this husband, father, grandfather and friend will be missed by many until they see him again. In the meantime, his abiding faith in God’s goodness and grace and the way he loved those around him have left those who knew him with an example they shall not soon forget.

He is preceded in death by his: mother, father, brothers (Chester “Chet”, Ron, Willis “Bill”, Darrel “Chuck”, and Roger) and sister (Laurel “Lolly” Hibbard). He is survived by his wife, three children from his first marriage: Terrence (Cathy) Knight, Pam (Dave) Soderquist, and Brad (Terri) Knight; three children from his second marriage: Christopher (Claudia) Knight, Elissa Knight, and Trevor (Liz) Knight; eight grandchildren: John Knight, Ben Soderquist, Laurel Soderquist, McKenzie Knight, Madison Knight, Diego Knight, Isabela Knight, and Henrik Knight; and one great grandchild, Ayden Rymarkiewicz. In addition, Doug and Karen are legal guardians of Wesley Rowley.

Visitation will take place at Bethesda Lutheran Church 123 W. Hamilton Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701 on Sunday, June 25th from 3-5 pm.  A memorial service will take place at the church at 9:30 am on Monday, June 26, 2023  with a reception at the church following the service.  The burial with military honors will be at Lakeview Cemetery following the reception. In lieu of flowers, Donations can be made in memory of Doug Knight to Choose Aftercare,  http://www.chooseaftercare.org/ or a charity of the donor's choice. There will not be a time of visitation prior to the service at the church on Monday.  

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com. Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the family with the arrangements.  

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