Helene Lis Knapp

Helene was born in Scranton, PA on December 9, 1928, to John and Josephine Lis. It was a large, blended family which included eight siblings, all of whom preceded Helene in death: Gertrude (Lis) Bergham, Marion (Wrobleski) Kelly, Leonard Wrobleski, Irene (Lis) Searles, Henry Lis, Stephen Lis, Joseph Lis, and Eleanor (Lis) May.

When Helene was in 7th grade, her family moved to Roselle, New Jersey where she met her true love, Herman L. Knapp. They both were leaders in their class; Helene had a beautiful singing voice and performed several solos during high school and college (voted class “flirt”). Herm was the star athlete and student class president (voted class “Ideal”).

She attended New Jersey College for Women, majoring in Voice with minors in Education and English. After graduating in 1952, Helene and Herm married and began their Air Force life. Herm became a test and fighter pilot, and they were stationed in several locations in the United States, as well as Okinawa, Japan. Helene taught elementary school and music at each military base they were stationed. Her love of her students was a great joy in her life. The couple enjoyed many adventures which included fishing, hunting, camping, golf, tennis and skiing.

In 1963, they moved to Colorado Springs, finally purchased their own house, and started their family of two adopted children, Robert and Cindy. Unfortunately, the Vietnam war intruded into their happy home: Herm was tragically shot down in North Vietnam in April of 1967. Helene was officially called a “Missing in Action” wife. Around this time, military wives were organizing to form the National League of Families for MIA/POWs to push back on the government’s “keep quiet policy”.

Helene quickly became involved locally with this organization. Due to the success of the Colorado Springs organization, Helene caught the attention of the League’s national leadership, and was elected National Coordinator of the League in 1972. She moved her family to Washington, DC, where she worked tirelessly on behalf of the POW/MIA men and their families. In 1973, the prisoners of war came home, but Herm was still missing. Helene resigned her post and returned to Colorado Springs. She was not officially a widow until 1978 when Herm was declared dead. The government is still searching for his remains in North Vietnam. Helene was honored to receive the Military Wife of the Year award in 1972.

She devoted her life to her children and their activities, encouraging music lessons, Scouting, and sports. She continued to take the kids camping, fishing and skiing, despite not having Herm.

She also became very involved with her community. As a life-time lover of music, it was natural for her to be active in music organizations, joining the Colorado Springs Symphony guild and coordinating the concert previews for many years. In 1997, she received the Beatrice Vradenburg Award for Outstanding Service to the organization.

She served on the boards of the Opera League; the Pikes Peak Center, and the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs. She even performed in the Music Theater of the Rockies’ musicals Annie Get Your Gun and the Sound of Music. Throughout the years, she has also volunteered at St. Frances Hospital, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Assistance League, the World Affairs Council, and was the first Program Chairperson of the Pikes Peak Chapter of the United Nations Association.

She received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Assistance League in 1983 to honor her impact on Colorado Springs' organizations. “Volunteering gives you the opportunity to help others to improve the quality of life and your surroundings. It gives you a more fulfilled life. It has meant a variety of quality friendships and a sense of peace in my life,” Helene was quoted in the Colorado Spring Sun in 1983.

Her Catholic faith was very important to her. When the kids were young, she taught Sunday school. She never stopped learning and read many books to deepen her faith. She was a member of the Serra Club of the Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs and sponsored several seminarians throughout the years. Weekly, she took the time to go to Eucharistic adoration to spend time in prayer.

In 2019, the book "The League of Wives: A True Story of Survival and Rescue from the Vietnam Homefront" by Heath Hardage Lee was published and Helene was featured in the book and traveling exhibit. In 2019, the exhibit "The League of Wives: Vietnam's POW/MIA Allies and Advocates" was hosted at the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum and Helene was again honored by the city, receiving the Inspirational Leadership Award as part of the Spirit of the Springs, presented to her by Mayor John Suthers.

The timing of the book and exhibit led to Helene’s request to travel to Vietnam to visit Herm’s crash site. At age 90, she and family members flew to North Vietnam and held a service in the vicinity of the crash site. This was a cathartic trip which Helene held dear in her heart.

Helene’s passion for music created an ongoing love for music in her children. Robert performs in the Soli Deo Gloria choir, and has performed in many operas in Colorado Springs; he also performed for many years in the Glen Erie Madrigal singers and dance troop; Cindy plays horn in Oregon in the Willamette Valley Symphony, the Corvallis-OSU Orchestra, the Corvallis Community Band, as well as community theater musicals.

Helene was a wonderful grandmother to her two grandchildren and beloved aunt to her nieces, nephews, and their children.

In the end, one measure of a person’s legacy can be in the good work that they have done. Helene has received accolades for her hard work and volunteerism. But the most important legacy is the love and devotion that was given to her family and friends; and in that, Helene was abundantly generous. How blessed we are to have had such a vibrant, giving, and loving person in our lives!

Helene is survived by her son, Robert Knapp, of Colorado Springs, her daughter, Cindy Lefton of Corvallis, Oregon; her grandchildren, Kyle and Michelle Lefton; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Helene will be buried at the Air Force Academy next to a memorial plaque for Herm. She requested a small family burial service, which we are honoring. However, given her civic involvement and the number of people whom she knew, there will be a memorial Mass and reception on July 12, at 11:00 am at St. Paul Church.

If you wish to honor Helene, make new friends, volunteer, pray, and don’t forget to sing! If you wish to also honor her monetarily, please consider a donation to the arts or the Catholic Church: Colorado Springs Philharmonic; the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs; the Willamette Valley Symphony in Corvallis, Oregon, the Soli Deo Gloria choir; or Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs.