Edwin E. Knapp

Edwin E. Knapp, age 97, of Mound City, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at an Omaha, Nebraska hospital with loved ones by his side.

On March 8, 1928, Edwin E. Knapp was born at home in Fortescue, Missouri, to Floyd and Goldie (Stroud) Knapp. His older brother, Richard, also welcomed him into the world. Later, they relocated to what is now known as Knappville, the family farm. With nine siblings, life wasn't always work and no play. On Sunday, the Lord’s Day of rest, a considerable feast was made, a tradition that never changed throughout time.

Venturing out on his own, Edwin met a girl in Cortland, Nebraska. Her name was Loretta Arlene Williams. The two fell instantly in love and married on November 8, 1949. Edwin worked for a brick company and Loretta worked for Elgin Watches. The happily married couple resided in Cortland, Nebraska, welcoming three children into their home, Christy, Larry, and Brian. Edwin also served as a prison guard for the Lincoln State Reformatory.

In 1974, Edwin moved the family to Mound City, Missouri, to help with the construction of Squaw Creek Truck Plaza, located at the 79-mile marker of I-29, which upon completion became a family-run business. Edwin stayed with R. A. Knapp Construction long after the Plaza was sold until he retired at age 77, not long after the death of his wife, Loretta, and the love of his life of 55 years.

Not one to give up on life, he went to Lake Havasu, Arizona to build a pool with his brother John Elvy. While there, he met Dolores Rose Manda who we all believe was hand-picked from Heaven to lift our father up and to keep him going with his true purpose in life, that of being a family man, a hard worker, and a force to be reckoned with. He called her his Rose, and indeed she was.

Dolores called him Eddie. Others called him Eddie Bumper and to many, he was known as The King of Holt County, of which he wore the title with pride.

He wasn’t necessarily a hobby man, but he was never without a project. His greatest passion in life was playing guitar and singing some good old country songs. With him, there was never a dull moment, and one just never knew what he’d come up with next. As a storyteller, one might think he fabricated to some degree, yet the story never changed, therefore we’re inclined to believe that even in Heaven, he will be as entertaining there as he was here on earth.

Those who preceded him in death are as follows his p arents, Floyd and Goldie Knapp; wife, Loretta A. Knapp; and s iblings, Richard, Jane Robirds, Donald, John Elvy, Gladys Knapp, Jim, and Marvin Knapp, and Barbara King.

Edwin is survived by his wife, Dolores R. Manda; b rother: Ronald A. Knapp (Maxine) of Lenexa, KS; h is children: Christine McLean (Rick), Larry (Diann) and Brian Knapp; g randchildren, Brandon and Ryan Schueth, Tara Coleman, Tyler (Valerie) Knapp, Tad (Bethany) Knapp, Misty, Breanna (Devin) Roberts, Waylon (Kinzie), Kinsee Jo, Jesse, Haley & Kashtyn Knapp; 15 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; plus bonus family members, Steve (Kim) Manda, Denice (Paul) Valerio, Dean (Mitzi) Manda and Jolene (Jeff) Rosencrance, their children and g randchildren.

Visitation: Sunday, June 15, 2025, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Chamberlain Funeral Home, 1705 Ridge Dr., Mound City, Missouri. Celebration of Life Service: Monday, June 16, 2025 1:30 pm, Chamberlain Funeral Home. Interment: Benton Church Cemetery, Forest City, Missouri. Memorials may be directed to the Benton Church Cemetery.