Leona Lee Knapp Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Leona (Lee) Knapp, 89, formerly of St. Joseph went to heaven on April 15th, 2012 in Anacortes, Washington. A graveside service, in celebration of her life, will be held at Lincoln Township Cemetery, Stevensville, at 1:00 pm, on Friday, April 20. A reception will follow. Arrangements are by the Dey-Florin Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in St. Joseph. Please share memories, messages and photos at www.florin.net. Lee was born in Hammond, IN, 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. She 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. Lee was a production supervisor at the Modern Plastics Factory and produced supplies for our veterans to secure our freedom. She also sold Beauty Counselor Cosmetics. Lee 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 fish. 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 for most of her life. She and her husband 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. She is survived by her son, Duane (Jackie) Knapp of Anacortes, WA; her granddaughter, Jennifer Smith, of Glenwood Springs, CO; her great-grandchildren, Maisie and Henry; her dear friend, Richard Dibble, and her wonderful sister-in-law, Geraldine Hacker. Lee was preceded in death by her daughter, Diana, in 1988 and husband, Earl, in 1988. Lee 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. “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. Lee would want that!

Tributes

Leona Lee Knapp

September 12, 1922 - April 15, 2012