Gail Judith Kniska (nee Polso), 86, of Hurley, passed away on April 8, 2026, at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital. Born on July 28, 1939, in Ironwood, MI., Gail was the beloved daughter of Anselm and Aili (Hill) Polso. She attended JE Murphy School in Hurley, graduating in 1957, and was on the National Honor Society.

Gail married William Kniska on August 23, 1958. They moved to Milwaukee in 1958 and then moved back to Hurley in 1971 to a farm in Kimball. They had no children and divorced in 1986.

Gail was preceded in death by her father, Anselm (Andy) Polso and stepmother Hilda Polso; mother Aili Clemans and stepfather Gene Clemans; sister Mavis Witek; brothers-in-law Ernest Witek and William Heikkila; stepbrother Rudy Kovales; and nephews David and Steven Heikkila.

She is survived by her sister, Virginia Heikkila, Globe, AZ; stepbrother Ryan (Joanne) Kovales, Ironwood, MI; stepbrother Geno Clemans, Elk Plain, WA; her very special friend Timmy Brown, Hurley, WI; and many cousins, nieces/nephews, and great/grand nieces and nephews.

Gail was employed by Iron County Social Services as an Economic Support Specialist from 1977 to 2001, when she retired. Gail also served on the Kimball Town Board for 2 years. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ironwood.

Gail began art lessons in 1979, entering many shows and enjoying the art community, serving as Club President for the Range Art Club for 2 years.

Gail found her greatest joy in the simple, meaningful things that made life rich. She had a deep love for art, always appreciating beauty in both the grand and the everyday. She loved woodworking, thanks to her dad. The outdoors was her refuge, where she embraced hunting with patience and respect for nature. She also loved and enjoyed the camaraderie and fun of bowling, sharing laughs and friendly competition with many friends and those around her. She loved raising animals on her farm, and she had many pets she adored, most loved her dogs, Boomer and Missy, and her cat, Tom Kitty. Above all, her heart belonged to her beloved farm-a place of peace, hard work, and cherished memories that reflected the life she so genuinely loved. Her many nieces and nephews were her children she never had, and they meant the world to her, and she meant the world to them as well.

A family graveside service will be held at the Hurley Cemetery in the spring.

"Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure."