Donald Knapp

Donald LeRoy “Don” Knapp, Sr., age 90, of St. Paul, died Thursday, March 6, 2025, surrounded by his children, at the Howard County Medical Center in St. Paul.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. The Reverend Vince Parsons celebrated the Mass. Burial was in the Elmwood Cemetery at St. Paul with military honors by Carl Mogensen American Legion Post 119, of St. Paul, and the U.S. Army Funeral Honors Team.

Memorials are suggested to Howard County Medical Center or The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund. Condolences and memories may be shared with Don’s family by visiting www. petersfuneralhome.net.

Peters Funeral Home, of St. Paul, is assisting the family.

Don was born on September 13, 1934, at Palmer, the son of Charlie and Maxine (Fleshman) Knapp. He attended school at District 36, graduating from the 8th grade.

Don grew up on the Knapp family farm north of Palmer and farmed with his father and grandfather from the time he was very young. He also worked for the area farmers until serving in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. He was very proud of his military service. He was a member of the Palmer Legion Post 120, and then was a 50year member of the St. Paul Legion Post 119.

Don married Evelyn Kowalski on February 6, 1957, in St. Libory. They farmed most of their lives on their farm between St. Libory and St. Paul. They were blessed with four children: Don Jr. “Butch” and Kathy Knapp, of Funk, Linda Schleicher, of Kearney, Tina Smith, of St. Paul, and Rhonda “Ronnie” and Pat O’Brien, of Shelton, and their neighbor girl, Nicole (Preisendorf) and Brian Umrath, of Grand Island, whom they considered part of their family from the time she was four weeks old.

Don’s wife Evelyn, passed away on November 28, 1996.

Don greatly enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as his beloved dog, Okie. After Evelyn’s death, Don moved into St. Paul and later resided at Matelyn Retirement Community, where he lived the rest of his life.

He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Monica Goodell, of Kearney, Bob and Jen Schleicher, of Fort Hood, Texas, Tim and Jess Schleicher, of Palmer, Joe and Shannon Schleicher, of Alda, Kennan and KayCee Schleicher, of Elm Creek, Shea O’Brien, of Omaha, Erin and Harold Green, of Grand Island, and Mary Catherine O’Brien, of Portland, Oregon; eighteen great-grandchildren, Arica and Lukas Goodell, Ivy Schleicher, Ty, Bo and Elsie Schleicher, Jovie, Tripp, Slade and Riggs Schleicher, Addison, Marley, Tessa and George Schleicher, Henry Cook, JayLee Schleicher, and Louie and Lolly Green; brothers, Jerry and Marilyn Knapp, of Palmer, and John Knapp, of Grand Island; and son-in-law, Dan Schleicher, of St. Libory.

In addition to his wife, Don was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Maxine Knapp; son-in-law, Larry Smith; brother, Lou Knapp; sisters, Louise and Allie Valasek and Charlotte and Gene Trebilcock; and sister-in-law, Nancy Knapp.