Russell C Knapp obituary submitted
Russell C. Knapp was born on January 10, 1933, in Guthrie Center, Iowa to Robert and Doris Huntington Knapp. The family moved to Slayton, Minnesota when Russ was six years old. He grew up in Slayton and graduated from Slayton High School in 1950. While in high school, Russ drove gravel truck for his dad. Russ served in the National Guard from October 1949 to June 1950.He then joined the United States Army in January 1951 and served in the Korean War as a radio repairman. He received an honorable discharge in January 1954 and earned several medals.On February 26, 1954, he and Lorraine Gieselman were married in Slayton, Minnesota. Following their marriage they lived in Slayton where Russ worked for the Pontiac Garage as a mechanic. In his spare time he was involved in helping Arnie Niemefroh build racing cars and engines. When he left employment there, Russ started driving truck over the road for Midwest Coast, which he did for many years. In 1969, they moved to Iona, Minnesota and Russ became an owner and operator of his own truck and began driving over the road for Sammons Trucking. In 1978, Russ began hauling grain for Bruns Elevator until he was first diagnosed with throat cancer. He then sold the truck and started driving truck for Tiesler Trucking until his retirement. After his retirement, Russ repaired lawn mowers, other various things and every kid’s bike in Iona for free in his garage where Lorraine was always by his side. Lorraine passed away in July 2005, following 51 years together. Russ was very technically talented and mechanically inclined. He loved to tinker and build things. He built a golf cart with a cab, a five-car- train, and a little pick-up truck out of used road signs, which he was very proud of. Russ passed away at his home on October 19, 2006, at the age of 73 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Russ was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton. He also was a member ofthe Iona VFW Post. Russ enjoyed watching Minnesota Vikings, telling jokes and stories, camping, playing cribbage with Lorraine, fishing and spending time with his family and friends.
Survivors include three daughters: Linda Hoffman and Ralph Busse, Welcome, MN; Debra Knapp, Iona, MN; and Donna Knapp, Iona, MN; two granddaughters: Theresa Voth, Windom, MN; and Tammy Nichols, Lakefield, MN; two great grandsons: Joseph Voth and Kyle Nichols; two brothers and their spouses: Ralph and Beverly Knapp, Slayton, MN and Gary and Carol Knapp, La Feria, TX; and one sisterBette and Don Mundell, Hot Springs Village, AR; his companion and family dog, ”Mitzie” and many other relatives and friends to cherish hismemory. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Lorraine; two sons: Robert and Thomas; one sister Pat Knapp.
Funeral services were held at Christ Lutheran Church Slayton, MN on Monday, October 23, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Ted Kunze officiating. The organist was Twyla Hungerford. The Soloist was Nikkie Cheskie. The pallbearers were Butch Veld, Lloyd Finke, Ronnie Kremer, Mick McCormick, Heath Landsman and Dave Johnson. Honorary pallbearers were Daryl Johnson, Ann Hegstad, Lynette Engbarth, Kathy Dolander, Earl Halverson and Mert Brown. Interment is at Slayton Memorial Gardens, Slayton, MN. Military honors accord by the Iona VFW Post.