Marjorie Ann Knigge's Obituary
MARJORIE ANN KNIGGE April 9, 1931 — February 27, 2026
Marjorie Ann Knigge, 94, of Collinsville, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2026.
Marjorie was born on April 9, 1931, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Omar Fred Bussman and Charlotte “Lottie” Hogan Bussman. She grew up in Turley, Oklahoma, during a time when horses were a common means of transportation.
As a young girl, Marjorie loved riding horses, going fishing, and playing checkers with her father, who first taught her the game and sparked a lifelong enjoyment of it. She became an excellent checkers player and carried that competitive spirit with her throughout her life. Her parents operated a neighborhood grocery store during the years following the Great Depression. There, Marjorie learned the values of hard work, responsibility, and service to others in the community.
Marjorie graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Early in her career, she worked as an editor for Rocketdyne, the legendary aerospace company. She later devoted her life to teaching and served as an elementary school teacher with the Tulsa Public School System for 20 years. She retired after spending the latter part of her career at Cherokee Elementary School in Turley, Oklahoma. She loved teaching and believed every child carried a special light waiting to shine.
Marjorie met the love of her life, Werner Knigge, at a Mohawk Park picnic in Tulsa while on a double date with their close friends, Beatrice and Desmond. Their friendship grew into lasting love, and they were soon married, sharing 65 devoted years together. Marjorie’s firstborn daughter, Denise, from her earlier marriage to Tommie Dickson—an Air Force veteran who passed away in 1954—was living with them as they began building their young family together. Marjorie showed great strength and devotion as a young mother, always placing her family first.
After Werner’s graduation, they moved to California, where they began their careers—Marjorie as an editor and Werner as an aerospace engineer. While living there, they managed apartment properties to earn extra income and save toward purchasing their first home. During this time, they welcomed their first child together, Karin. Not long after, Werner accepted a position in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the family returned to make Tulsa their permanent home, where their daughters Gilda and Kaye were born and raised.
Marjorie loved horses, and riding was a lifelong passion that began in her youth. She always had a horse to care for and ride until she could no longer do so, and she took great pride in
her saddles and horse equipment. Her cherished Arabian Quarter Horse, Bo Jangels, affectionately known as “Bo Bo,” was one of her most treasured companions. She also dearly loved her loyal dog, Shay, who was a faithful companion in her later years.
She loved music and enjoyed singing and playing the piano and her accordion. She especially enjoyed listening to Native American instrumental music. Each year, she looked forward to hearing the Ecuadorian musicians who performed at the Tulsa State Fair. Visiting the fair became a fun family tradition, and they attended every year through 2025.
Marjorie proudly wore her turquoise jewelry and was often seen outdoors wearing one of her favorite ball caps that said, “Life Is Good.” She was remembered for her beautiful red hair, which she carried proudly throughout her life.
Marjorie enjoyed traveling with Werner and exploring the western United States, especially California and Arizona. She loved visiting the California coastline and taking local trips to Woolaroc. There, she enjoyed exploring the museum filled with Western art and historical relics and savoring one of their famous buffalo burgers. She also enjoyed visiting the Ponderosa Ranch, made famous by her favorite television show, Bonanza, which she loved watching for relaxation.
Even in their later years, Marjorie and Werner found joy in the simple routines of life together. Until about a month ago, they enjoyed short drives to the Skiatook Tastee Freeze for ice cream and frequent visits to their favorite restaurants, including Sperry Café, Mac’s Barbecue in Skiatook, the Pink House in Claremore, pizzerias in Owasso, and the White River Fish Market in Tulsa.
Marjorie’s life was filled with the things she loved most — her Navajo art, collecting turquoise jewelry, teaching elementary students, traveling, and discovering unique treasures in thrift stores. She was known for being a very strategic checkers player; if you ever sat across from her at a checkers board, you quickly realized she was already three moves ahead — steady, thoughtful, and smiling. She showed her family a faithful love and a joy in life’s simple pleasures. She found freedom riding horses, peace in Native American instrumental music, and happiness playing and singing at the piano or on her accordion.
Marjorie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Werner Knigge, who passed away on February 14, 2026; her parents, Omar Fred Bussman and Charlotte “Lottie” Hogan Bussman; her grandfather, Deputy U.S. Marshal L. E. Hogan; her grandmother, Annabelle Surber Hogan; her brother, Rodolph “Pete” Bussman; her sister, Mary Maxine Bussman Emery; and her granddaughter, Jennifer Krantz. Marjorie’s father and brother both proudly served their country in the United States military.
Marjorie is survived by her children, Denise Dickson-Pruitt, Karin Cataldo, Gilda Krantz-Smith, and Kaye Campos; her grandchildren, Stephen Pruitt, Sonya Pruitt, Elizabeth Krantz, Diana Cataldo-Long, Christine Cataldo, Michael Cataldo, Rachel Campos, Natalie Cota, and Rebecca Cota; along with many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her longtime caretaker, Rochelle Kraft, whose compassion, dedication, and care meant so much to Marjorie and her family.
After sharing 65 devoted years together, Marjorie’s heart soon followed Werner’s, and they are now reunited in the loving hands of our Lord in Heaven.
Together again, their love continues beyond this life in eternal peace.
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