Donald LeRoy Knapp

Donald LeRoy “Don” Knapp, Sr., 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 will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. The Rev. Vince Parsons will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be 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.

Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church, with a 7 p.m. parish rosary.

Memorials are suggested to Howard County Medical Center or The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund.

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

Don was born on Sept. 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 50-year member of the St. Paul Legion Post 119.

Don married Evelyn Kowalski on Feb. 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 Nov. 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 where he lived and later resided at Matelyn Retirement Community the rest of his life.

He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Monica Goodell of Kearney, Bob and Jen Schleicher of Fort Hood, TX, Tim and Jess Schleicher of Palmer, Joe and Shannon Schleicher of Alda, Kennan and Kaylee Schleicher of Elm Creek; Shea O’Brien of Omaha; Erin and Harold Green of Grand Island, Mary Catherine O’Brien of Portland, OR; 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, Jay Lee Schleicher, 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.