Sharon Siewert Knaus

Sharon Ann Hooks Siewert Knaus, 85, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on April 6, 2024 in Abilene, Texas.  

Visitation celebration will be hosted by the Siewert family on Sunday April 7 from 5-7:00 pm. Graveside services will be held Tuesday April 9 at 10:00am at Elmwood Memorial Park, 5750 Hwy. 277 South in Abilene. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home and officiated by Steve Waller.  

Sharon was born in Dallas, TX to J.M. Hooks, M.D. and Annell Whorton Hooks on November 22, 1938 and grew up in Abilene. She attended South Junior High School and was a 1956 graduate of Abilene High School where she was a cheerleader for the three-time state football champions. After graduation she attended Mary Baldwin College in Virginia and was presented by the Cotillion Club of Abilene.  

Sharon married Lawrence W. Siewert on December 20, 1958. They raised four children and loved to jitterbug, scoot-a-boot, and cut-a-rug. Sharon cared for Lawrence during a lengthy illness until he preceded her in death in 1986.  

She was known to many as an entrepreneur, as owner of The Storage Bin in River Oaks Shopping Center for ten years.  

In 1993 Sharon married Ronald R. Knaus in Abilene. Together, they loved to laugh and travel the world.  

Sharon’s numerous contributions to the community included serving the Junior League of Abilene, Abilene Art Museum, the Grace Museum, Los Aficionados, Abilene Preservation League, Abilene Civic Ballet, Dixie Little League, Building Committee for First Central Presbyterian Church, and the 1956 Abilene High Reunion Committee.  

Sharon, better known as “Mudder” or “Mamoo,” was a proud grandmother who loved to brag about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Her many friends included her Bridge Club for more than 60 years. She loved collecting art and was an avid reader who never missed an edition of the Abilene Reporter-News. She was also an accomplished seamstress who loved sewing ballet costumes for her daughters and quilting for each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lawrence W. Siewert, and husband Ronald R. Knaus.  

Sharon is survived by her brother, Jim Hooks (Susan); her children Susan Waller (Steve) of Albany; Julia Siewert of Abilene, Jill Fields (Rex) of Cisco; and Tom Siewert of Hooks Ranch in Callahan County.  

She is also survived by her grandchildren Andrew Waller, David Waller, Katie Mumford, Nicholas Galbraith, Molly Smith, Jackson Hanna, Emory Hanna, Channing Aulerich, Abigail Galliton, Bekah Parker, Eric (Angel) Knaus, and Chanda Knaus.  

Her great-grandchildren are Ella Waller, Harris Waller, Graham Waller, Luke Waller, Margot Mumford, Crosby Mumford, Caroline Smith, Olivia Smith, and Peyton Marshall.  

Pallbearers will be her grandsons Nicholas Galbraith, Andrew Waller, David Waller, Jackson Hanna, Tim Smith, and Mason Mumford. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Meals on Wheels, Hendrick Hospice Care, or your favorite charity.  The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Hendrick Hospice Care, Touching Hearts at Home, her physician Samantha Goodman, M.D., Nicole Pate, P.T., and Patricia Siewert Bruneau for their excellent care of their mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.