Philomena A. "Phylis" Kniffin

Philomena Ann Kniffin, 100, passed away January 31, 2026, after a long and joyful life.

Phylis, to all who knew her, was born October 25, 1925, in Duluth, Minnesota, the oldest of seven children of Michael and Louise Rogers Laurienzo. She grew up in Hibbing, and was a proud graduate of Assumption School and Hibbing High School.

Phyl worked at several jobs throughout her life, first in her father’s shoe repair shop, and later in Washington, D.C. as a secretary for the U.S. Department of the Navy during

WWII. Upon returning to Hibbing, she worked at Range Cornice. She married Dean Kniffin in 1955 and they raised three children.

Phylis was the mark of an independent working woman throughout her life, working at Mesabi Clinic and then at Hibbing High School in data entry. Phylis loved her job at Hibbing High school and reminisced to her final days about the camaraderie she had with her co-workers. She enjoyed nothing more than being around people and could always be found on the dance floor at a wedding reception. Phyl and Dean spent many weekends square dancing and attending outings with their HA’s club.

After retirement, they enjoyed summers at Prairie Lake and winters in Padre Island, Texas, making many new friends along the way. She was always there to bake a casserole, send bars to a neighbor, or show up when someone needed a hand.

Phylis loved her home in Greenhaven, but when it came time to leave, she made the best of it and spent her final years at Home Sweet Home — our family’s thanks go to Michele and her staff for their kindness and help.

Phylis is survived by her beloved son, Michael, and wife Janelle; her daughter Barbara Gilbert; her sister Michele (Bernie) Drlaca, and brother Mickey Laurienzo of Cloquet; six grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and many, many dear friends. She was predeceased by her daughter Lisa and husband Dean.

Funeral services for Phylis will be 1:00 pm, Friday, February 6, 2026, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Hibbing. The Rev. Fr. Peter Akudugu will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial. A private interment will take place in the Maple Hill Cemetery of Hibbing. Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.

To honor Phylis, have a vodka tonic, pet a poodle, or take to the dance floor to enjoy life; bake a jelly roll or help a neighbor, even if they don’t ask. In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor can be made to Assumption School, Hibbing, MN.

To leave an online message of condolence, please visit us at; www.doughertyofhibbing.com.