Irene Lillian Knapp

Irene Lillian Knapp, age 82, of rural Elizabeth, Illinois, died May 25, 2009 at FHN Memorial Hospital, Freeport, Illinois. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 28, 2009 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna, Illinois, with Reverend Lee Luebke officiating. Burial will be in Savanna Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the Funeral Home. A memorial fund has been established in Irene’s memory. Irene was born August 9, 1926 in Loran Township, the daughter of Ira Arthur and Anna Rosalie (Pearson) Noble. Irene was always proud of her Irish heritage. She attended Washington Country School, Washington Township. On April 30, 1942, Irene married Henry “Hank” Knapp in Galena, Illinois. He passed away July 31, 2006 in Freeport.
Irene was a talented homemaker and treasured family time. She and Hank built the homestead they lived in with their own hands. She spent much of her time baking, making noodles, canning and even churning her own butter. They enjoyed the farm life, raising cows, goats, sheep, pigs, and chickens. Irene also worked at the Savanna Army Depot as a forklift operator handling ammunition during and after WWII. She also worked for the Savanna Garment Factory and Atwoods in Stockton, Illinois. Irene was a member of the Good Hope Lutheran Church, Massbach until it closed. She then began attending Christ Lutheran Church, Stockton.
Irene loved the outdoors, especially the first flowers of spring. She enjoyed drinking a good cup of coffee in the morning while watching birds. She was an avid gardener and cared deeply for her cats.
Irene will be dearly missed by three grandsons, David (Sheila) Knapp, Bryan (Melody) Knapp and Daniel (Karen) Knapp; eight great grandchildren, Patrick (Lisa) Knapp, Monica (Will) Jordan, Andrew Knapp, Teri Knapp and Emily, Patrick, Hannah, and Kaleb Knapp; a special niece, Rose (Robert) Mielke; three great nieces, Sharon (Kelvin) Krise, Sue (Tom) Reilly and Theresa (Mark) Klenz; and two great nephews, Gary (Cindi) Mielke and Gerald Mielke. Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Hank; son and daughter in-law, Melvin (Sandra) Knapp; three brothers, Floyd, Charles and Robert; and a sister, Evelyn.