Michael D. Knauf, 81, Marshfield, passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Wells Nature View Assisted Living, under the care of St. Croix Hospice. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Marshfield, where the family will receive relatives and friends from 10:00 am until service time. The service will be streamed online at www.facebook.com/rembsfuneralhomes Rev. Keith Kitzhaber will officiate. Burial will take place in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family. Michael was born on October 23, 1939 in Marshfield, to Frederick and Ruth (Beining) Knauf. He attended St. John's Parochial School and Columbus High School, both in Marshfield. He served in the Wisconsin National Guard and then enlisted in the United States Air Force serving from March 25, 1959 until his honorable discharge on November 14, 1962. He married Janet M. Baumann on May 6, 1961 at St. John's Catholic Church, Marshfield. Mike had been employed as an auto mechanic at various businesses and lastly at V & H Automotive until his retirement. He enjoyed racing stock cars locally for 20 years and had a passion for any and all cars. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, motorcycling and traveling. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Janet, two daughters and four grandsons; a daughter Rita (Bernard) Martin of Stratford and their sons, Nathan and Michael; and a daughter Sarah (Robert) Meyer of Marshfield and their sons, Andrew and Matthew. He is also survived by brothers, Thomas (Carol) Knauf and David (Angela) Knauf and a sister-in-law, Florence Knauf, all of Marshfield. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Kenneth and Daniel Knauf and sister-in-law, Yvonne Knauf. Memorials may be designated in his name to the Future Family Life Program (building project) at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Marshfield. The family wishes to thank the staff at Wells Nature View for the extraordinary care and compassion that they provided for Mike.