Greg Knapp

Greg Knapp was born April 18, 1950, in Redfield, SD to Wendell and Elizabeth (Betty) Knapp. He joined an older brother, Michael (Mick) and sister, Connie. Greg spent all his formative years in Redfield. While formal education was not an option during those years, he did attend a special education class which was held in a special education teacher's home. Sadly, this education provided little in life skills such as reading or writing but produced lots of craft items! Because there was so little opportunity for education or training in Redfield, Greg spent most of his time at home. He enjoyed doing chores around the house and especially liked working outdoors, where he would mow and rake the yard. I In 1998 Greg's mom developed ongoing health challenges which led them to move to Tea, SD, where his younger sister Diane lived. Greg experienced living in an apartment for the first time, and he was afforded the opportunity to see many more people, as the family lived on a busy Tea street. Soon after the move to Tea, Greg & his older brother Mick, who also was developmentally disabled, became involved in Sioux Vocational Services. Greg was always an intensely inquisitive person, which at times resulted in problems. He would wander around the area of the Tea apartment and eventually his mom found it difficult to keep track of him, so he moved to Sioux Vocational's residential program in 2002. He would always come home to spend the weekends with his family, however. Greg's involvement in Sioux Vocational Services opened infinite doors for him. He met oodles of new people, he gained scores of new experiences, and he was able to get a job and earn money, which was always important to him. Sadly, Greg experienced a stroke in 2013, which significantly altered his lifestyle. He had permanent right-side weakness, which eventually caused him to utilize a wheelchair for mobility. As he aged, he developed swallowing issues, which resulted in recent hospitalizations for severe respiratory distress. Eventually his body said it was enough, and he passed in his sleep on December 17, 2023. Greg was preceded in death by his dad Wendell in 1968, his grandmother Ida Beckman, in 1974, his brother Mick in 2003, his sister Connie Connor in 2013 and his mom, Betty Knapp in 2014. Left to mourn his passing is his sister Diane Larsen of Tea, SD, nephews Jarrod (Amy) Larsen of Sioux Falls, and Nick (Melissa) Larsen of Tea, SD; nieces Brianna (Brock) Buesing of Inver Grove Heights, MN, and Tamra (Eric) Graham of Red Wing, MN. Additionally, he has great nieces Ella, Kate, Mya and Baq, and great nephews Jack and Holden. The family wishes to thank the Lifescape staff for their ongoing care for Greg. We will forever be grateful for all the opportunities and relationships you gifted to Greg. Memorial services will begin at 4:00 p.m. Friday, December 22 at Augustana Lutheran Church, 235 N Prairie Ave, Sioux Falls. Visitation, with the family present will begin one hour prior to the service, at 3 p.m.

Greg Knapp

April 18, 1950 - December 17, 2023

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