Shauna Knowles, beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend to many, died on May 5th 2024. Shauna K. Schultheis was born August 21, 1970, in Oklahoma City, to Trisha Schultheis, joining her loving big brother Todd. Very soon during those early years, Shauna exhibited that gregarious personality, confidence, and sense of humor she was always known for, endearing Shauna to everyone she met along the way. Shauna attended Putnam City High School, where she was blessed with life-long friends, and a member of the Pom Squad, graduating in 1988.
Shauna went on to attend Oklahoma State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education in 1994. Shauna was a member of Pi Beta Phi at OSU, and though she never had biological sisters, Shauna treasured her Pi Phi sisters as her true sisters in every sense of the word, and vice versa. There was of course studying, but it was the late-night Sonic runs, date parties, dancing at the Weed, watching soaps in the second-floor lounge, and many a night laughing, consoling, sharing stories and dreams, and bonding with sisters that Shauna enjoyed most in those college years. Many gatherings and reunions big and small followed over the next 30 years.
After her last semester at OSU, Shauna met the love of her life and best friend Matt Knowles. They were married in 1996. They were, as they say, the yin and yang, opposite yet complimentary, apparent to all that they were greatest together, and a wonderful balance to each other. Shauna began her career as a special education teacher, a challenging calling she loved and at which she thrived. Her dedication to her students as well as their parents earned her a reputation as an excellent educator and mentor. During her professional career as a special education teacher she taught at The Children’s Center in Bethany, Putnam City West High School, and Edmond Memorial High School. Shauna and Matt welcomed daughters Olivia in 2000 and Ava in 2006, and so began their greatest adventure. Shauna often said, just when you think you cannot love your child anymore because your heart is so full of love, your heart finds a way to love them more and more each day that goes by. Olivia and Ava are their mom’s greatest joy, and being their mom is the role she cherished most.
Life was not without its challenging times, and Shauna was diagnosed with several serious health issues. In 2012, she was hospitalized for weeks, but courageously survived this and future serious health episodes prompting friends to affectionately refer to her as the human cockroach, a moniker she not only accepted but found hilarious. Shauna was determined not to let her health challenges define her. The precariousness of health gave Shauna a unique kind of grit, and enabled her to understand the preciousness of life, love her family fiercely, and appreciate each day and its blessings in ways most of us take for granted. She was able to watch her beautiful daughters grow into smart, confident, and loving young women, and for that we will forever be grateful.
Always outspoken, Shauna was fully informed on local politics, reality TV, the law, culture, medicine, and many other issues and enjoyed many lively discussions on these topics. She was a foodie and outstanding self-taught cook. She also loved to travel. She was able to travel to Prague CZ, New York City, Boston MA, Florida on multiple occasions, Mexico, and Chicago, which held a special place in her heart. She considered Chicago a second home. She had a gift for giving people witty knick-names. She was the first person to offer help to any friend in need. She was the first person to encourage any friend. She would show up at your doorstep with a casserole. She may or may not have called you 10 minutes beforehand to tell you to turn on your oven. Shauna’s gift was that she was giving of herself and was so many things to so many people. All who were loved by Shauna knew it -- 100%. We will miss her terribly.
Shauna is survived by her loving husband, Matt Knowles; daughters Olivia and Ava Knowles; brother, Todd Schultheis and sister-in-law Shannon Schultheis, and niece Sara Schultheis, and nephew Jake Schultheis; and many cousins she was very close to.
She was preceded in death by her mother Trisha Schultheis, grandmother and grandfather Jean and ML Denton.
Memorial services for Shauna will be Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Acts 2 United Methodist Church, 4848 W. Covell Road, Edmond, OK 73012
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