Marie Knapp

Marie Knapp, age 99, of Belle Fourche, died Thursday May 5, 2011 at the Belle Fourche Health Care Center. The funeral service will be held 10:30 am Monday May 9th, 2011 at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche, with Pastor Andy Anderson officiating.  Burial will take place 1:30 pm Monday at the Moore Hill Cemetery, near Hulett WY.  Visitation will be held 5 to 7 PM Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society, and Emmanuel Baptist Church. Marie Brown was born December 29, 1911 in Emporia, Kansas.  She was the daughter of Silas and Glenda (Hoover) Brown.  Marie grew up and attended school in Emporia.  While working at a five and dime store there she met Charles “Bill” Knapp.  They were married March 2nd, 1930 in Emporia, Kansas.  To this union 8 children were born: Billie, Silas, Ernest, Shirley, Jerry, Janice, Linda, and Don.  Following their marriage, Bill and Marie moved to Rocky Point WY and homesteaded.  Bill also owned and operated many sawmills in the area, including the Camp Crook Sawmill for many years.  In 1966, Bill died.  After his death, Marie worked at the Camp Crook General Store.  She also worked as a cook at the Sky Ranch for Boys near Camp Crook, and as a special education teacher aid.  In 1991 she moved to Belle Fourche, where she has lived since. Marie was affectionately known by all who knew her as “Grams”.  She loved her flower gardening, and she loved life.  She was able to drive her car until the age of 97.  Her most important thing in life was family.  She was devoted to them.  She loved to display her numerous family pictures around her home because of her love and pride of each family member.  Many fun memories were made with her, especially when she was playing with the grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She was a wonderful and precious “Grams” and she will be missed greatly. Marie is survived by her son, Jerry (Marilyn) Knapp of Hulett WY; daughters, Shirley (Lewis) Wood of Hulett WY, Janice Bush of Sundance WY, Linda (Brad) Abelseth of Nisland SD; 33 grandchildren; and numerous great and great great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her 2 sisters, Nene Knapp of Grand Junction CO, and Babe Gillaspy of Naturita CO; and 2 daughters-in-law, Sharon Knapp of Camp Crook, and Alicia Knapp of Ekalaka MT. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sons, Charles “Billie”, Silas, Ernest, and Don; brothers, Bud, Pete, and Don; sisters, Connie, and Margie; grandchildren, Kevin Wood, Ronnie Knapp, and 3 infants; and her great great granddaughter, Amber Dawn Green. DATE OF BIRTH December 29, 1911 – Emporia, Kansas DATE OF DEATH May 5, 2011 – Belle Fourche, South Dakota CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE 10:30 AM – Monday – May 9th, 2011 Funeral Home of the Northern HillsBelle Fourche, South Dakota OFFICIANT Pastor Andy Anderson SPECIAL MUSIC Soloist/Pianist – Terry Jahner “In the Garden”, “On the Wings of a Dove” HONORARY CASKETBEARERS All of Marie’s Grandchildren ACTIVE CASKETBEARERS Shannon Abelseth                                                    Jerry Knapp Michael Bush                                                           Larry Knapp Bill Knapp                                                                      Tim Knapp Carl Knapp                                                             Russell Wood INTERMENT Moore Hill Cemetery Hulett, Wyoming