Anneliese Knoop-Graf (30 January 1921 â 27 August 2009) was the youngest sister of Willi Graf, who was one of the main members of the White Rose resistance group. In his last letter to her he tasked her to âÂÂkeep a good memory of me.â (âÂÂBehaltet mich in guter ErrinerungâÂÂ) After his death Anneliese worked tirelessly to keep WilliâÂÂs story (and the stories of the other White Rose members) alive.
On 18 February 1943 Willi and Anneliese Graf were captured by the Gestapo. Both were accused of being members of the White Rose. Willi was a core member, but he had never told Anneliese about the activities of the White Rose. Anneliese was released about four months after her arrest, while Willi was sentenced to death. In his last letter to Anneliese and his family, Willi asked them to, âÂÂKeep a good memory of meâ and to âÂÂcontinue what we have started.âÂÂ
After the war Anneliese honored her brother's last wishes, becoming a speaker about the White Rose. She helped write multiple publications about the White Rose, including helping Inge Jens and Walter Jens publish a book of Willi GrafâÂÂs letters and diary titled, âÂÂWilli Graf: Briefe und Aufzeichnungen.âÂÂ
In 1987, Anneliese became the vice chairman of the White Rose foundation in Munich.
Anneliese Knoop-Graf died on 27 August 2009, at the age of 88.