Edna Lou Gard-Knobe, 91, passed away peacefully in her sleep, at her home, on March 3. Edna (or "Lou," as most people called her), was born on July 5, 1924, to Carol and Walter Stauffer. She grew up learning to play the piano, and quickly became both admired and praised for her incredible talent at expressing herself through music. At the time of her passing, she had been playing piano weekly at Copshaholm, and also atMemorial Hospital in Mishawaka. One could quite accurately remark that music was the very substance of Edna Lou's humanity, and her music plays on in the hearts and souls of her family, her friends, her colleagues, and her students. She received a bachelor's degree in music performance (piano) from Northwestern University, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in music education from Indiana University at South Bend. In addition to being a critically acclaimed concert pianist, she taught music in the Mishawaka School System for 27 years. She was the rehearsal pianist for the Kansas City Opera in the 1950's, and served as both rehearsal and concert pianist for the South Bend Symphony from the late 1960's through the early 1980's - occasionally working one-on-one in pre-concert rehearsal with such celebrities as Vincent Price, Louis Armstrong and Leontyne Price. She married Lawrence Ray Gard Jr. in 1946, who shortly thereafter gifted her with an 1881 Steinway grand piano - her lifelong prized possession. Following Lawrence's passing in 1987, she married Louis Knobe of Chicago in 1990. She is preceded in death by her mother and father, her beloved sisters Jean Beth and Nanette, and her husbands Lawrence Gard and Lewis Knobe. She is survived by her sons, Richard L. Gard,Lawrence R. Gard (Marcia Quick), Rick Knobe, Lawrence Knobe (Melinda), Louis C. Knobe (Barbara), seven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. There will be no visitation/viewing. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, at the Chapel HillMemorial Gardens and Funeral Home in Osceola, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the South Bend Symphony.