Herman E. Knappe
July 11, 1920 — October 26, 2017
Herman E. Knappe, 97, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2017, at Cottage Grove Place in Cedar Rapids. The family will greet friends 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 1, 2017, at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 361 17th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403. A Memorial Service will begin at 2:00 p.m. at the church. Inurnment will take place at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at a later date.
Survivors include his son, David (Diane) of Beach, North Dakota; grandson, John E. Knappe; granddaughter, Sare Knappe; and great-grandson, Kasey, all of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Ella; wives, Mildred and Marie; and his sister Henrietta (Johnson).
Herman was born on July 11, 1920, to Ella (Kleist) and Edwin W. Knappe. He grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, graduating from Rufus King High School in 1938, and the School of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1942. Herman married Mildred Schoenemann in 1943. He moved to Cedar Rapids in the late 1950’s when Cherry Burrell moved their plant from Milwaukee to Cedar Rapids. Mildred and Herman raised their son, David, there, where they were active in the Cedar Rapids First Congregational Church, and both sang in the choir. He was a member of Cedar Rapids Optimists Club. While working for Cherry Burrell, Herman was awarded two patents. He was a Professional Engineer, registered in Wisconsin.
After retiring, Herman worked part time for ASTEC. In his spare time, he volunteered at the Lekotek Program where he modified toys for children with special needs. Herman and Mildred also trained to become Master Gardeners, and in 1993, they were named Linn County Master Gardeners of the Year. They traveled around the globe including trips to Egypt, China, and Russia until Mildred’s death in 2002. Herman moved to Cottage Grove Place where he met Rebecca Marie Babbitt. They were married in 2005.
Survivors include his son, David (Diane) of Beach, North Dakota; grandson, John E. Knappe; granddaughter, Sare Knappe; and great-grandson, Kasey, all of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Ella; wives, Mildred and Marie; and his sister Henrietta (Johnson).
Herman was born on July 11, 1920, to Ella (Kleist) and Edwin W. Knappe. He grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, graduating from Rufus King High School in 1938, and the School of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1942. Herman married Mildred Schoenemann in 1943. He moved to Cedar Rapids in the late 1950’s when Cherry Burrell moved their plant from Milwaukee to Cedar Rapids. Mildred and Herman raised their son, David, there, where they were active in the Cedar Rapids First Congregational Church, and both sang in the choir. He was a member of Cedar Rapids Optimists Club. While working for Cherry Burrell, Herman was awarded two patents. He was a Professional Engineer, registered in Wisconsin.
After retiring, Herman worked part time for ASTEC. In his spare time, he volunteered at the Lekotek Program where he modified toys for children with special needs. Herman and Mildred also trained to become Master Gardeners, and in 1993, they were named Linn County Master Gardeners of the Year. They traveled around the globe including trips to Egypt, China, and Russia until Mildred’s death in 2002. Herman moved to Cottage Grove Place where he met Rebecca Marie Babbitt. They were married in 2005.
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