Belva Jean Knodel Woulfe

Belva was born in Mitchell, SD on a warm, Spring afternoon on June 5, 1947 and passed away from this world on the evening of July 2, 2017.

She was the last of four children born to John and Alma Knodel, who brought her home to their farm located southwest of Armour, SD in a 1947 truck along with a puppy, named Silver, that became her constant companion for the next 12 years.

Being the youngest child in her family she became very independent and quite comfortable with herself as she grew developing a strong interest in reading and mathematics.

Upon graduation from High School, Belva moved to Aberdeen enrolling at Northern State University, graduating in 3 ½ years with a Bachelor of Science in Education. For the next 45 years Belva devoted herself professionally to elementary education starting in Sisseton for a short time, followed by 22 years in Aberdeen with the balance spent in Norther Minnesota and finishing her career at Fort Irvine California.

Early in her career, Belva developed a series of lesson plans utilizing vastly different forms of manipulatives for use in the classroom. In California, she began collaboration with several other professionals of the California University Education Department at Riverside, further developing her methods for use in elementary classrooms to better foster young students interested in the math and science fields. Her initial work led to implementation and adoption of her work as a portion of the California Mathematic Project. That work brought her in contact with scientists and engineers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA, and a number of other companies involved in basic science research.

In 1991, Belva was honored for her efforts by the Governor of California, Peter Wilson, the California Legislative Assembly and Department of Education. She was also the recipient of many other awards and recognition throughout her career.

Belva was an extremely humble woman. She once was asked what provided her the biggest sense of accomplishment and she responded by saying being able to mainstream autistic children in her classroom. She had many different interests leading her in a number of directions, but the first priority was always her family. Belva and her husband were together for almost 50 years and along with their children traveled to many places, including 47 states and all provinces of Canada.

She is survived by her husband Murray, children Jason, Stephanie, Darren, Leslie, a special friend, Rachel Day, and the family dog, Annie. Her sister Carol (Ron), nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and colleagues.

Special thanks to the following people: Roger and Vikki Day family, Garry Neiderworder, Marcia Houk, Doctors Helen Fredrickson, Tracy Davies, Evanthia Galanis, Steven Robinson, Gary Keenry and Eric Cheung as well as the staff of the oncology departments of Rapid City Regional Health, Regional Cancer Care Center, Hope Institute of Oncology, Los Angeles, CA, Mayo Clinic Sarcoma Group and St. Mary's Hospital Rochester, MN.

Memorials are preferred for the Black Hills Humane Society.

Services are to be held on Saturday, July 8th, 2017, 10:00am at the Osheim & Schmidt Funeral home located at 2700 Jackson Blvd., Rapid City, SD 57701.