Helen Lenore Knapp

Helen Lenore Knapp, age 96, of Willmar, passed away Sunday afternoon, March 23, at her residence.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials to World Missions of the AFLC are preferred. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Helen was born on February 24, 1929, in Valley City, North Dakota, the daughter of Leslie and Agnetta (Johnson) Loucks. She was raised in a home that housed the Benson Corner Rural Telephone Exchange and attended High Prairie Lutheran Free Church of rural LaMoure, ND. The first 8 grades of school were at Gladstone School #3, graduated from LaMoure High School and attended one year of college. Helen was active in 4-H, serving as a leader and exhibitor, winning a trip to the 25th 4-H Club Congress in Chicago. A big event in those days. On this trip she met her future husband.

Helen was married on September 19, 1948, to George W. Knapp. They farmed near Fort Ransom, ND for 10 years. In 1958, they left for Brazil with their four small children to work as Faith Missionaries. Another child was born to them in Brazil, and two more were adopted. In 1969, they joined the AFLC after having worked with other missionary groups in construction and 6 years as houseparents for missionaries' children away from home for schooling. Helen worked alongside her husband in church planting and evangelizing. She taught at the Bible School, organized VBS, Bible Camps and Women's groups. Helen and George spent 32 years as Missionaries in Brazil, retiring in 1990 and residing in Willmar.

Helen's interests were many, among them quilting, crocheting, knitting, sewing and embroidery, and letter-writing worldwide. She was active in Women's Missionary Federation at the Sunburg Free Lutheran Church. Helen enjoyed her family, flower beds, cooking, canning, baking and volunteering. She was a woman of deep faith in God, her Savior, and a prayer warrior.

She is survived by her four sons, Charles (and Joyce), Halvor (and Ginny), Calvin (and Terry) and Carlos; three daughters, Karen, Cida, and Carol; twenty grandchildren; fifty-six great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren; and an anticipated great-grandchild and great-great grandchild; besides other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George in 2019; an infant son, Claire; one grandson, Philemon; two granddaughters, Rebekah and Rachel; and a grandson-in-law, David.