Betty Knapp

Elizabeth "Betty" Knapp was born August 20, 1920 in Redfield, SD to parents Paul and Ida (Brockman) Beckmen. She spent the bulk of her life in Redfield. She graduated from Redfield High School in 1938, where she was recognized as a champion speller. Her parents owned a grocery store in town and she recalls going there to get penny candy as a child. The Depression, however, was not kind to the family store, which closed during the "Dirty 30s". She married Wendell Knapp, to this union 4 children were born: Michael (Mick), Connie, Greg and Diane. Mick and Greg were mentally retarded, as the term was called in those days. She was a mother who strongly believed that her sons should never be institutionalized, so she made sure they stayed at home with family. Betty and Wendell were instrumental in getting the Redfield chapter of the Association of Retarded Citizens started and advocated for their support. Betty worked as a federal employee for the Farmers Home Administration for over 20 years. She enjoyed getting to know the farmers and learning about various crops and aspects of farming. Betty enjoyed reading, fishing, camping and doing word find puzzles. She also enjoyed music and in her early adult years played piano in her brother Donald's dance band. The band played various venues in the Redfield area. Her love of music continued throughout her life, even in her last days she enjoyed listening to music, particularly her beloved hymns. Betty and sons moved to Tea, SD in 1998. They lived in an apartment for a couple of years and then Betty moved into assisted living. In 2011 she moved to her daughter Diane's home and lived there until her death. She enjoyed going to Daybreak and later the Ceili Cottage. Betty died May 20, 2014 at the age of 93. She is survived by her children Greg Knapp and Diane Larsen; 5 grandchildren: Tamra, Steven, Jarrod, Nick and Brianna and 4 great-grandchildren: Adrianna, Holden, Elliel and Jackson. She was preceded in death by her children Mick and Connie. Services will begin 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 23 at Augustana Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls with burial for follow at the Greenlawn Cemetery, Redfield, South Dakota at approximately 3.30 p.m. Friday. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service also at the church.

Betty Knapp

August 20, 1920 - May 20, 2014

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