02/20/2026
James E. “Jim” Knitt
Age 90, of Armstrong Creek, passed away peacefully February 17, 2026, at Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital. He was born in Clintonville on November 16, 1935; son of the late Alfred and Myrtle (Kautz) Knitt. Jim graduated from Marion High School in 1954. He enlisted in the US Army and served in the United States and Okinawa Japan from 1955 – 1957, returning to Okinawa in 2006 with his son to visit many special places together. Jim attended Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton to obtain a Journeyman Plumber license and became a Master Plumber in 1978.
He was united in marriage to Dolores (Renkas) in Marion at St. John’s Lutheran Church on August 1, 1970. In 1971, Jim started Knitt Plumbing and Heating in Manawa with his father and brothers as a subsidiary of Marion Hardware, Inc. and assumed ownership of the business in 1977. He owned and operated Knitt Plumbing and Heating in Manawa for approximately 15 years before relocating with his family to Armstrong Creek in 1986. He continued working in plumbing and heating until his retirement in 2005, spending some winters thereafter in Mesa, AZ as a “snowbird”. Jim was a 50+ year member of the Brule River Bucks Club in Alvin, WI.
He enjoyed spending time in his workshop, mowing the lawn, driving his Kubota tractor, working outdoors, playing cards with neighbors, having a Friday Fish Fry, cheering on the Green Bay Packers, and reading the Marion Advertiser.
Jim is survived by his two children: Barb (Lisa) Knitt and Henry (Kinga) Knitt; a grandchild, Kaya; and brother-in-law, Joseph Renkas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores (Renkas) Knitt, brothers William (Shirley) Knitt, John (Irene) Knitt, Tom Knitt, and sister-in-law Marlene Renkas.
Funeral Service will be at 12:00 pm on Saturday February 28, 2026, at St. John Lutheran Church, 5502 Beech Street, in Laona with Pastor Jamie Bauknecht officiating. Visitation is from 10:30 am until the time of the service. Lunch will follow at the Armstrong Creek Community Center. Burial will take place in Pine Hill Cemetery, Armstrong Creek, this spring.
Roubal Funeral Home in Wausaukee is assisting Jim’s family with arrangements.