Gerald Howard Knapp

Gerald Howard Knapp, age 97, of Lansing, Michigan passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2022. Gerry was born on January 5, 1925 to Howard and Bertha Knapp in Sebewa Township, Michigan. It was in that small town, that Gerald attended grade school in a one room school house, until attending Portland High School, where he met the love of his life, Viola. During his senior year of high school, Gerald was drafted in to the US Army and enlisted right after graduation. He proposed to his sweetheart in Baton Rouge, Louisiana before deploying oversees to serve in WWII. Gerald served in Company K Inf., 85th Division and was awarded 2 bronze stars, a victory medal and a purple heart. Following his service, Gerald and Viola married at the Portland Congregational Church on February 17, 1946. Not long after, they began their family, raising 4 beautiful children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Gerald was an accountant for many years and was very active in many civic, veteran and business organizations including MSU Blueline Club, Coaches Club and in his later years, the Delta Township 39ers. The Knapps were season ticket holders to MSU hockey and football, were Florida Snowbirds and loved spending time with their family. Gerald enjoyed woodworking, golf, gardening, dominoes and board games. He was a master at Dominoes, Sequence and many card games- often inviting his family to challenge him as the champion.

Gerald will be dearly missed by his children, Gary, Vicki (Edward) Shannon, Jody (John III) Turkopp, and Denise Fagerman; 9 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren and many friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Viola and his son-in-law, Ken Fagerman.

Visitation for Gerald will be on Monday, December 5, 2022 from 11am until the time of the funeral service at 1pm at Gorsline Tiffany Funeral Home (3232 W. Saginaw, Lansing). A private family burial will follow.

The Knapp family wishes to thank Regency West for Gerald's end of life care and asks that donations be made to Against All Odds Cat Rescue, Lansing or the Delta Township 39ers.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com for the Knapp family.