Eileen Lottie Knapp

KNAPP, JENKS, DURFEY, WESTON, WASKOW, REILING, PASSICK, KESTER, MYERS

Posted By: diane (email)
Date: 12/2/2021 at 18:49:08

Eileen Lottie Knapp, just short of 90 years, entered into her eternal rest, Monday, August 28, 2017, at Prairie Hills Assisted Living in Independence, Iowa.

Eileen Lottie (Jenks) Knapp was born September 17, 1927, the sixth child of Charles H. and Gertie Durfey Jenks, on a farm near Lamont, Iowa.

Graduating with the 1944 class of Lamont High School, the highlight of her high school years was playing as a basketball team member at the State of Iowa Basketball Tournament. After she graduated, she worked as a telephone operator in Lamont and Oelwein. Attending Upper Iowa University, she received her Teaching Certificate. She taught one year in a rural school and later taught in Aurora, Iowa.

Eileen was united in marriage to Norbert Knapp on August 30, 1950, at Oelwein, Iowa. To this union were born three children: Kaye, Pam, and Scott. They lived in Aurora all their married life. She worked for the Buchanan County Nurre, the General Store owned by the Knapp’s. She was the Aurora School Secretary and when the school closed, she later worked at East Buchanan Schools in Winthrop, Iowa, as a Library Aide. When she retired in 1990, she had completed twenty three years of working at the schools.

After retiring from school, she was instrumental in starting the town of Aurora Library. She was on the library board for many years and also loved to volunteer at the newly formed Aurora Historical Society. Along with her many other Aurora Contributions, she was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 60 years. Another of her accomplishments was the writing and publishing of the first Aurora History Book. When Norb retired from the gas service station after 47 years, they traveled with his brother, Les and wife, Lois, all over the United States. Enjoyable times were spent at their cabin near Harpers Ferry.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Norbert; three brothers: Floyd, Glenn, and Claude Jenks; and two sisters: Iola Weston and Marian Waskow.

Survivors include her three children: Kaye Reiling (Kevin Passick) of Aurora; Pam (Gary) Kester of San Diego, CA; and Scott (Sandy) Knapp of Eagle, Idaho; five grandchildren: Jeremy (Holly) Reiling, Jenni (J.D.) Myers, Kelsey (Ryan) Burke, Mike Kester, and Joe Kester; two step grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and five step great grandchildren; Scott’s “Girls” Jane and Jodi; and nieces, nephews and friends. Her family loved her greatly and will miss her dearly.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will take place at the Aurora Legion Hall from 4 PM until 7 PM on Friday, September 1, 2017. All are welcome to attend. A private family burial will take place at Madison Cemetery, south of Aurora.