Helen A. Knapp

Helen Ann (Schultz) Knapp, 86, passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at St. John’s - the Woodlands, in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Born in Princeton, Minnesota on July 20, 1937, to Fred W. and Anna E. (Oliver) Schultz, Helen attended Princeton High School.

Helen married Robert “Bob” Knapp in the mountains above Santa Cruz, California on March 5, 1960. Together they welcomed two children, Jackie and Rob. Helen was a master gardener as well as a gourmet cook. She lived with her family in Los Altos, California, Elk River, Minnesota and in Marshville, North Carolina for many years before moving to Albert Lea over 20 years ago.  Helen was an active and dedicated member of the YMCA’s Silver Sneakers class for many years. She enjoyed collecting flower-frogs and cookbooks, as well as feeding wild birds on her property.  She was thrilled when her favorite bird, a Grosbeak she called “Pretty Boy,” returned year after year.  She also loved traveling both domestically and internationally over the years.

Known for her generosity and giving spirit, Helen’s final act of kindness was to donate her body to further medical research and advance the field of science. Her spirit of selflessness remains, even beyond her earthly presence.

Helen is survived by her children Jackie Knapp-Schmidtke of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Rob (Staci) Knapp of Lone Tree, Colorado; three brothers, Charlie, Floyd and Ray Schultz; grandson Jacob Knapp, numerous nieces and nephews, and her special friend Clancy Swanson.  She was proceeded in death by her beloved husband of 53 years, Robert J. Knapp; her parents, Fred and Anna Schultz; brothers, Roland, John, and Fred; and her sisters, June, Loretta and Bethel.

Friends and family will be celebrating Helen’s vibrant life this Saturday, January 6, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Casper’s in Eagan, Minnesota.  In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to St. John’s Lutheran Community in Albert Lea, MN.