In Memory Of

Edith Della Knapp

Mar 23, 1930 - Aug 30, 2023

Service

Saturday, September 30, 2023
1:00 pm
A celebration of Edith’s life will take place at the Nazarene Church in Rocky Mountain House, AB September 30th at 1:00 PM.

Notice

In lieu of flowers donations in Edith’s name may be made to the Cancer Society of the donor’s choice.

Obituary

Knapp, Edith Della
1930-2023
Edith Della (Johnson) Knapp passed away peacefully on August 30, 2023. She was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend and our cherished memories will accompany us the remainder of our lives.
Edith was born on March 23, 1930, to George and Gladys (Nettleton, Cottrell, Arndt) Johnson in Penhold, AB. She was 7th daughter of 10 girls. She was raised on a homestead between Butte and Stauffer. The homestead was surrounded by muskeg, a veritable island.
George was enlisted in the Army and was posted in Calgary from 1941 to 1944. With George away it left Gladys and the girls on the farm alone. This is when the place got the name “Petticoat Ranch”. During this time Gladys and the girls fell, skidded, piled, and burned to clear space for crops. Edith was no stranger to hard work but found time to have some fun after chores and school. Edith attended school at New Knowledge and Clear Creek schools. New knowledge was about 2 miles away to the Northeast of the island and Butte about 4 to the southwest. She had sisters to walk with or they sometimes shared a horse. She noted that it was scary in the dark hours.
Edith and her sisters would walk across the muskeg, barefoot carrying their dance shoes, to catch a ride with neighbor boys with a wagon to Stauffer or Evergreen. They played baseball and would participate in Track and Field at the surrounding communities. Usually resulting in prizes, chocolate bars and ice cream!
The times were tough during those years, once the girls were old enough, they would assist the community ladies during the week and go home on the weekends. Edith received room and board, which lessened the number of mouths to feed through the week. When Edith completed the community school, she attended Red Deer Composite High School. Staying with her sister, Evelyn, and family. She walked across the city and played basketball after school. She completed grade 10, then worked in the kitchen of the Red Deer Hospital. Then she moved to Rocky Mountain House and worked as a Nurse’s Aid for a couple years. In 1950 Edith, sister Marie moved to Stettler. Edith got a job at the Rexall Drug Store at the cosmetic counter.
Edith met Percy Knapp at a dance in Stettler. They courted for about a year and were married in Stettler on November 30th, 1951. Edith continued to work until the arrival of their first child, Ernest George in August 1952.
Edith was devoted to Percy and their young son. Percy was a truck driver and followed the rigs around the province. Edith made the small house trailer a warm home as the family followed Percy. In December 1954 a baby girl (Della May), was born in High Prairie. Between 1951 and 1971 the family moved around Alberta following the Mining, Oil, Farming and Trucking employment. Some of the communities they made home were Nevis, Butte/ Stauffer and, Leedale. Edith kept the house, raised the kids, grew a garden, and helped with farm chores.
In Red Deer, September 1959, another daughter was born, Cindy Lee. In 1960 the family of 5 moved to Butte, close to Edith’s family. Ernest and Della were now school aged. Percy worked the oil rigs while Edith tended the farm and family. Clarence Allen was born in the Rocky Hospital in August 1966. In the spring of 1967, the family of 6 moved to the hills West of Leedale where they farmed. Edith was again involved in all aspects of the farm and raising the family. Percy and Edith were very active in card parties, craft guilds, curling and baseball. Edith joined the women’s basketball team and participated in tournaments.
September of 1969, Gregory Robert was born prematurely and only survived 12 days. In 1971, they sold the farm and Percy found employment with Revelstoke Lumber Company in Rocky Mountain House and Harlech. Ernest and family had moved to Rocky previously. In August of 1972, Edith, Della, Cindy, and Clarence moved to Rocky Mountain House.
While they lived around Rocky they farmed in the Frisco and Taimi areas. Percy and Edith were custodians at the Rocky Credit Union over a decade, until their retirement. They enjoyed travelling in their RV’s, all over Alberta, BC, Alaska and Ontario to spend time with family and friends. Once the kids got married and had grandchildren, Edith spent as many hours as possible with them. They enjoyed card games, camping, fishing, sleep overs as often as possible. She would knit toques, mittens, and socks for everyone. She was known for her skills cooking and baking.
Edith lost her sight, to glaucoma, by2018. This took her independence away and changed their lives. She still found humour in her surroundings or reminiscing of fun memories. She remained Percy’s devoted mate and confidant until his passing in 2021.
Edith will be sadly missed, but never forgotten by anyone who knew her. She is survived by her son Ernest (Beverly), Steven Knapp, Kelsey Long and Cathleen Krohn; daughter Della (Larry) Springbett, Donna Wiebe, Marie Thibideau, Ben Robbins, Jesse Whitford, and Terry Whitford; daughter Cindy (Jackson) Morrish, Jason Morrish and Cora Dennis; son Clarence (Roda) Knapp, Greg Knapp, and Robbie Knapp. Numerous great grandchildren, 4 great, great grandchildren. As well as her sisters’ in-law Hazel Kerbes, Blanche Wells, Audrey Preedin; brother in-law Douglas Knapp and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Edith was predeceased by an infant son Gregory Robert; her parents George and Gladys Johnson; Ediths’s sisters and spouses Nellie (Harry) Maskant, Evelyn (Frank) Jarvis, Lillian (Dane)Ceasor, Ruth (Arnold) Moger, Betty (Wilber) Stainbrook, Marie (John) Waugh, Gwen (Gusty) VonHollen, Shirley (Elmer) Tomalty and Arlene (Vince) Martinoski. As well as her father and Mother in-law Ernest and Elfleta Knapp; brothers Wilfred, Lloyd, Leslie, and David; as well as sister Dorothy. Brother-in-law Ken Kerbes and Gordon Wells. Sister in-law Elva Knapp.

A celebration of Edith’s life will take place at the Nazarene Church in Rocky Mountain House, AB September 30th at 1:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers donations in Edith’s name may be made to the Cancer Society of the donor’s choice.

Cremation entrusted to the Rocky Mountain Crematorium, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta.
Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes and Crematorium, your Golden Rule Funeral Homes, entrusted with the arrangements, 403 845 2626

Condolences

neila knapp:

My condolences to your families. I have many special memories of Mom Knapp. from wiener roasts in Nordegg to your best-ever cinnamon buns. You will be missed.

Valerie Erickson :

Sending condolences to you all from all of your Northern Alberta Family - sincere wishes of memories not tears, hugs and love George, Georgina, Stewart, Bruce, Valerie, Perry and Coleen - the Wolf Lake Erickson's and our Families

Ester Ouderkirk:

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sadness.

Robert and Wendy Raeside:

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in the passing of your Mom, Grandma and friend. Wendy and Rob

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