Our dad, Harold Knopp, born January 3, 1924 passed away peacefully on November 27, 2013 at Crescent Health Care.
Dad enjoyed a great life but sometimes a hard life. Dad was born into a farming family along with 3 sisters and 2 brothers. He learned to drive a tractor and work a long day at a very young age. During WWII dad was exempt from military service because farmers were needed to produce food. His wanting to contribute to the war effort lead him to Seattle. Together with his tractor and skills he helped build Boeing Field which turned out to be a very important air base for our country.
Dad married his high school sweetheart Myrtle Thomas, our wonderful mom on April 3, 1945. They shared a wonderful and devoted life together and in April celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary.
They soon started a family, having 3 girls. Having to live with four girls counting our mom and one bathroom putting it mildly was quite a challenge at times for our dad. Because of his true devotion and love for his family he survived the bad times and through much pride always referred to us as his four girls. Our family and the bond we share is the result of the guidance and leadership mom and dad taught us.
Over the 68 years mom and dad have been together dad has always been the provider. He left the family farm shortly after they were married and moved from Toppenish to the Wenas Valley. He started a cattle ranch and later built a feedlot. For nearly 35 years his cattle business required 7 days a week of hard labor.
The most vivid memory looking back was Christmas mornings. Dad would get up really early while we were all still sleeping and go down to the feedlot and make sure the cattle were fed so he could get back as quickly as he could knowing we would all be waiting to open presents. Standing at the windows watching for him seemed endless.
When dad decided to cut back his work hours they sold the ranch and moved to Yakima in the mid 80’s. He wasn’t ready to just do nothing so he got a job managing the grounds of a large condominium complex. This allowed him to be outside and be his own boss, much like farming. The move to Yakima allowed mom and dad to purchase a motor home. They enjoyed many camping trips with family and friends. Any town on the west coast was their touring map.
Dad loved to build things. He often planned projects of his own to remodel his homes plus some for us girls. He had wonderful ideas. When dad ran out of big projects he stared wood carving. He was a master carver. Everything he made he had to make at least 4, one for mom and three more for us girls. Then of course the grandchildren wanted some, so from a small garage factory he carved hundreds of beautiful things that will be cherished for many years.
Dad was a happy person who really enjoyed family over anything else. With so many wonderful memories and strong feelings of love, our dad will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
God has blessed you Dad with a new life, one without pain and suffering. You can look down upon us with your wonderful smile we all loved so much and we can look up with a smile knowing you are happy and at peace.
We would like to thank Crescent Health Care and all of its staff for all the wonderful care you gave our dad. God bless you all.
Harold is survived by his wife, Myrtle Knopp, sister, Shirley Ruttner of Connecticut, daughters Kathy (Gary) Welton of Yakima, Carole (Gary) Garrett of Spokane, and Kay (Erin) Stroh of Selah; Grandchildren Michelle Britz of Spokane, David Welton of Yakima, Bryan Garrett of Spokane, Phillip Garrett of Spokane, Ryan Amos of Selah and Aaron Amos of Seattle. Great Grandchildren, Bailey and Taylor Britz, Emily Welton, Linnea, Brodie and Bryant Garrett, Maizy and Cadence Garrett, Jacob, Colby, and Kaylee Amos
Harold is preceded in death by his parents, John and Caroline Knopp, brothers Al and Roy Knopp and sisters, Lillian Kissler and Ruby McDonald.
Viewing will be held at Keith & Keith Funeral Home on Monday, December 2, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held at Terrace Heights Memorial Park on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life service is pending for a later date. To Celebrate the life of Harold and share a memory visit www.keithandkeith.com.
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