Christina J (Tuil) Knox

Christina Joan Tuil Knox, age 86, of Los Lunas, New Mexico, died at home on November 11, 2021. Christina was born on the farm on August 29, 1935, to Jacob & Dora (Kampman) Tuil of Dumont, Iowa. She was baptized on November 24, 1935, at Dumont Reformed Church, and she confirmed her faith in Jesus Christ on Palm Sunday, April 2, 1950, at St. James Lutheran Church in Allison, Iowa.
When Christina was two years old, her family moved from Dumont to Allison where she attended country school through 8th grade. She graduated from Allison High School in May 1953 and went on to attend Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where she graduated in May 1955 with a two-year Elementary Education Diploma. At Wartburg she met Joseph B. Siplon, and they married at St. James Lutheran Church in Allison on June 5, 1955. The couple moved to Illinois in August 1956 and had one son, Joseph, born on February 25, 1960.
In June 1963, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from National College of Education in Chicago, Illinois. Her husband, Joseph died on July 13, 1967, in Park Forest, Illinois.
After her husband's death, Christina moved to Wisconsin where she pursued further education. In 1970 she received her Master's Degree in Reading from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. She taught for a total of 50 years in country school and elementary school, as a classroom teacher and a reading specialist. She taught in Illinois, Wisconsin, and New Mexico.
Christina married Terry Knox on February 18, 1989, in West Bend, Wisconsin. They moved to Grants, New Mexico, in the summer of 1989; she taught one year at Sky City Community School on the Acoma Reservation. In 1990 they moved to Los Lunas, where she taught as a reading specialist. She also taught GED & Communication Skills at UNM-Valencia Campus. For many years Christina led Celebrate Recovery and the Recovery Academy programs in Los Lunas.
Along with being an outstanding teacher, Christina was a professional storyteller. She performed televised evening storytelling every month at school and also at public events and for the Scouts. In addition, Christina was awarded for outstanding contributions for community theatre - including children's theatre. Christina directed more than 25 shows for the West Bend Community Dinner Theatre.
Christina was listed in Who's Who Biographical Record for Child Development Professionals in 1976. She was a member of the Wisconsin State Reading Board from 1985-1988. She was a member of the District Reading Committee, the International Reading Association, the Board of Directors of Wisconsin Reading Association, and the National Association for the Perpetuation & Preservation of Storytelling. She was awarded for her outstanding contributions to community theater, including children's theater.
Christina's love for God was overflowing, and it showed in her actions, her values, and her service with the church. Her many roles and contributions include organizing, developing, and leading children's programs; writing and teaching confirmation programs; and serving as Youth Coordinator and Director of Children's Ministries. Christina directed Sunday School, afterschool programs, and summer tutoring. She was President of the Central Methodist Women and taught Friday morning Bible studies. She was also involved in the drama & clown ministry and directed summer Bible school camps, as well as other Christian education groups.
Christina was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joseph, and sister Jeanette Tuil Bliss. She is survived by her husband Terry; son Joseph of Waukesha, WI; step children Kimberly (Paul) Sweet, Peter (Wanda) Knox, and Adam (Molly) Knox; grandchildren Brooke, David, and Shelby Sweet, and River, Henry, and Penelope Knox, all of Milwaukee, WI; one sister Grace (Thomas) Poock of Waverly, IA; and nieces and nephews Marvin (DeAnn) Bliss, Clint (Sara) Poock, Jason (LaDonna) Poock, Angie (Chris) Schmitt, and Reverend Matthew (Becca) Poock, along with many relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Waverly, Iowa, at 4:00pm, and on Thursday, December 2, 2021, at Peralta Memorial United Methodist Church in Los Lunas, New Mexico, at 4:00pm. Memorials can be made to Peralta Memorial Methodist Church Children's Ministries. Funeral arrangements were trusted to Noblin Funeral Service, Los Lunas, 2211-D Main Street, SE Los Lunas, NM 87031, (505) 866-9992.

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