Evelyn Louise Knapp, 88, passed away on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at Monument Health in Rapid City.

Evelyn was born on February 26, 1936 in Rapid City to Delmar and Mildred (Hughes) Knapp.

She attended elementary school in Rapid City and graduated from Rapid City High School.  She continued her education by earning a two-year teaching certificate.  Later, she would achieve her goal of earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Black Hills State University.

During her career as an elementary teacher, she nurtured young minds at Big Bend and Rapid Valley.  After retirement, she continued to tutor students. She touched the lives of untold numbers of students who have continued to include her in their lives with invitations to weddings and graduations.

Evelyn was honored with the Red Apple Award for excellence in teaching.  Upon retirement, she volunteered at Monument Health and was awarded a certificate for over 16,000 hours of volunteer work.  She also volunteered in many ways at church.

Evelyn helped raise all of her nieces and nephews—and later great nieces/nephews—loving all of them unconditionally.  She attended their school programs, sporting events, and holiday programs.  She became a road warrior traveling countless miles to cheer them on.

She was an especially wonderful sister:  loyal, kind, helpful, and generous with her time.  She was compassionate and concerned about all of her family.

She loved sending cards to family members. Every holiday they would receive a card with a $2 bill.  On birthdays, they were afraid to open their birthday cards because she booby trapped them with whatever she could come up with.  If she could find the right funny card, it made her day.

Dear Auntie could pull a prank with the best of them.  She loved to tease.  She loved to get one over on you.  When her eyes twinkled and she got that funny little smirk on her face, something was coming for sure.

She happily welcomed friends and family into her home.  If she had just tried a new cookie recipe, she was always glad to have a taste tester show up.  She was a good cook. Her home was filled with photos of family members from several generations.  Her beautiful flowers brought her great joy each spring and summer.  You could always feel love when you visited her.

Evelyn liked to travel.  She went to England, Mexico and all over the United States.  Often, she would visit family along the way.  She took her siblings and spouses to Medora, ND on a particularly special trip for all of them.

She had many friends and knew many people.  You could hardly go with her but what she didn't have to say hello to someone.  She had a morning coffee group, Tops Club on Saturdays, and Sunday services at Knollwood Heights Methodist Church.  She was a member and treasurer of Royal Neighbors for many years.

Evelyn was so many different things to so many different people but she was always exactly what was needed.  Her family is so thankful for the many blessings of goodness she brought into our lives.

Welcoming her in heaven are her parents Delmar and Mildred Knapp, her sister Luella and her nephews Bruce and Tom Johnson.

Those blessed to have shared in her life are her siblings: Don (Maxine) Knapp, Norma Johnson, and Ken (Pam) Knapp along with her nieces and nephews: Nancy Trautman, Bob (Sheila) Knapp, Dick Knapp, Susan Johnson, Cheryl Johnson, Karen Shuck, Derek (Annette) Knapp, Brett (Alison) Knapp, Kristen (Darron) Withycombe and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Evelyn will be on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, from 5:00-7:00) at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 11 at Knollwood Heights Methodist Church located at 320 E. College Street in Rapid City, SD. A light lunch will follow after the service.  Burial will follow at Pine Lawn Memorial Park.