Leona Frances Knapp 1922 ~ 2012

My lovely Mom, Leona (Lee) Knapp went to heaven on April 15, 2012.

She was born in Hammond, Indiana, September 12, 1922, and grew up in Indiana and Michigan. Lee’s Mother Clara was from the Albert Zuhl family and her Father was William M. Hacker, a carpenter. She learned the secrets of farming from her Mother and lived on Meadowbrook Road and graduated from Eau Claire High School. Lee grew up as a farmer and learned the value of working hard in the Depression and being self-sufficient. She was a production supervisor at the Modern Plastics Factory and produced supplies for our veterans to secure our freedom.

She married Earl Knapp when he returned from the Second World War and made a wonderful life in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. She loved to garden, golf and sell Beauty Counselor Cosmetics to her friends, and fish. Earl and Lee had two children, Duane and Diane.

Lee was a gourmet vegetable farmer for fine restaurants in her later years and was a member of the Saint Peters United Church of Christ in St. Joseph, Michigan for most of her life. She and my Father were Sunday school teachers and youth counselors. Her homemade pickles were world famous, apple pies legendary and her home grown tomatoes, the best. Lee was a beautiful, energetic, and vibrant soul who dedicated her life to taking care of everyone else and was always in “style.”

Several years ago, Lee relocated to Anacortes, Washington.

Lee was preceded in life by her daughter and husband.

She is survived by her son, Duane Knapp and daughter-in-law, Jackie Knapp of Anacortes, WA; granddaughter, Jennifer Smith of Glenwood Springs, Colorado; and great-grandchildren, Maisie and Henry, also of Glenwood Springs; and her dear friend, Richard Dibble and wonderful sister-in-law, Geraldine Hacker.

She was a true child of God and everyday brought love, grace, beauty and nature to life in this world and will carry it to the next. She was the best Mother anyone could ask for.

A graveside service, in celebration of her life, will be held at Lincoln Township Cemetery, in St. Joseph, at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 20, 2012, with a reception following. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Northwest.

“There once was a Queen named Lee, she was as busy as a bee, everyone knows that she’s full of love, because she gets her strength and grace from above!”

Please plant a flower and give a hug to someone you love. Mom would want that!

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Lee, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.