Eleanor Perk Knapp Obituary

Description: Eleanor "Perk" Knapp Obituary... Our Heartfelt Condolences To Her Loved Ones...

Obituary

Eleanor Jean “Perk” Knapp of Rocky Ford passed away on February 4, 2024 in Rocky Ford at the age of 99. Eleanor was born at home in Rocky Ford to Carl and Nora Holder. She graduated from Rocky Ford High School in the Class of 1942 and graduated from Colorado A&M College (CSU) with a degree in Home Economics Education. She married Alden Knapp on September 8, 1946 and spent the majority of their life in Rocky Ford where Alden farmed and Eleanor raised their 4 children. She eventually went back to teaching, teaching first grade and then high school Home Economics. In 1969 Eleanor became the district Vocational Director and was the first woman Vocational Administrator in Colorado. In 1978 Alden & Eleanor moved back to Ft. Collins where they both earned their PhDs in Vocational Education. After time living and working in Oregon and spending early retirement in Grand Junction, they returned to Rocky Ford to live in their original family home. Alden passed away in 2011 and Eleanor continued to live in the family home until 2018 when she moved to reside at Cottonwood.

Eleanor was a charter member of the PEO chapter EU in Rocky Ford and an active member of Rocky Ford United Methodist Church. Eleanor loved to bake and sew, and she taught these skills to her grandchildren. She loved to host meals for family and friends, and frequently made lunches for the Knapp’s Farm Market crew. She and Alden enjoyed spending time at their cabin in Creede. Eleanor cared greatly for her family and her gifts of hospitality and encouragement were freely given to whomever she met.
Eleanor is survived by her: 3 sons: John (Laurie) Knapp of Rocky Ford, Gerald (Kim) Knapp of Victor, MT, Brian (Gail) Knapp of Rocky Ford, 1 daughter: Nancy (Stan) Schweissing of Stevensville, MT, 15 grandchildren: Nick (Danielle) Knapp, Chris (Jenny) Knapp, Melanie (Brian) Burney, Taylor (Emily) Knapp, Lacey (Michael) Albrecht, Erin (Todd) Schafer, Kyle (Rachel) Schweissing, Alisha (Jared Gardner) Knapp, Hilary Knapp, Nathan (Bailey) Knapp, Jill (Pete) Chambers, Austen (Jenna)Knapp, Andrew (Katie) Dickinson, Kristen (Jacob Holland) Dickinson and Brandon (Bri) Dickinson, and 32 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Alden, brother Frank Holder, and sister Mayme Lacy.

Friends who wish can make donations in Eleanor’s memory to the First United Methodist Church, 301 W. Washington Ave., Rocky Ford, CO 81067 or Arkansas Valley Hospice, 531 Lewis Ave., La Junta, CO 81050.

Services held on Friday, March 1st, 2024 at 11:00am at the First United Methodist Church of Rocky Ford, Colorado. 

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