Joanne Kay Kniss

Joanne Kay (Williams) Kniss passed the morning of June 1, 2023 in Omaha, NE at the age of 76. She was born in Gothenburg, NE on August 21, 1946 to Ray and Violet (Johnson) Williams.  She graduated from Gothenburg High School in 1964.

She married Jack Kniss and born into this union was a daughter Julie Rae and they were blessed and overjoyed when they adopted their son Jared Justin finally arrived into their lives.  Jack and Joanne took over the Gambles store from Paul and Pauline Kniss ultimately relocating to a new building and established Kniss Furniture. Joanne was owner of The Shoe Tree in Gothenburg before moving to North Platte and then to Omaha. While living in Omaha Joanne was employed at the Whelan Detective Agency as a licensed private investigator.  She never gave up on investigating the suspicious and unsolved disappearance of her niece Christi Jo (Williams) Nichols who went missing in 1987 after an evening out with her husband.  

Joanne was an avid golfer, winning several tournaments with her son, joined the bowling league and treasured days on the lake boating with her children and friends and working in her garden.  She especially enjoyed the times she was able to spend with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughter Julie Rae (Kniss) McCoy of Orange County, CA; son Jared Justin Kniss of Omaha; brother Kenneth and Adelle Williams of Gothenburg; nieces and nephews Gary Williams of Kearney, NE; Debra Williams of Fort Collins, CO; Korey Stanley of Dix NE; Cyndi Williams of  Parker, CO; Jeff Laass of Rancho Cucamungo, CA and Karen Laass of Omaha, NE; grandchildren Patrick Daniel McCoy of Las Vegas, NV;  Mallory Claire and Brett LaBudda of Omaha; Connor John-Paul McCoy of Los Angeles, CA; Dillon Michael McCoy of Lincoln, NE; Maeve Bridgett McCoy of Omaha, NE; great grandchildren Graham Thomas, Bennett Peter, and Lainey Elizabeth LaBudda, all of Omaha, NE

She was preceded in death by her brother Richard Dean Williams; nieces Christi Jo (Williams) Nichols, Jamie Renee Laass; granddaughters Elizabeth Anne McCoy and Mary Carol McCoy.

Family will receive visitors Friday June 16, 2023, from 4-6:30 at the Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg, NE; followed immediately with a sunset burial at the Brady Cemetery in Brady, NE

Memorials may be given to the family.