Elaine Knuppe

Elaine E. Knuppe, 76, of Waukon, IA, died Monday, May 1, 2023, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 5th, at 11:00 AM at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating and burial will be the church cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Thursday at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon.

Elaine Esther Knuppe was born September 28, 1946, in Waukon, IA, the daughter of Emil and Bernita Ruth (Kloke) Hanson. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon and graduated from Waukon High School in 1964. On January 9, 1965, Elaine married Edward Charles Knuppe at St. John's and they farmed together in Paint Creek Township. Elaine was a hard-working farmwife, always the first one in the barn for morning chores. When her kids were all in school, she became a CNA and med aide for Good Samaritan Society in Waukon, touching the lives of many residents and their families. After working there for more than 30 years, Elaine finally retired but continued to care for people by becoming a home health aide. Her compassionate, caring nature and tendency to put others first made it difficult for her to leave the health care field. In 2018, Elaine moved off the farm and into Waukon.

She and Eddie joined Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church, where she was involved with the ladies' aid and circle, along with teaching Sunday school. She enjoyed spending time with her kids and grandkids, which included watching their sporting events. Elaine had a knack for making pies, banana bread, and monster bars, when she could find the time, and will fondly be remembered by her grandkids with having the best stocked freezer with every kind of Schwan's treats you could imagine. She and Eddie enjoyed camping with their family. Some of Elaine's other hobbies over the years included: snowmobiling, softball, bowling, and most of all, playing cards. She was an avid animal lover all of her life. She enjoyed caring for her donkeys, ponies, cats, and dogs while living on the farm.

Elaine is survived by her four children: Deb Johnson of Monona, IA, Sheila (Bruce) Snitker of Waukon, Vicky (Tim) Phipps of Postville, IA, and Carrie (Shane) Sievers of Mason City, IA; six grandchildren: Mike (Abbi) McDowell, Matt (Ciara) Snitker, Vanessa (Dylan Vavrik) Phipps, and Cassie, Kennedy, and Catherine Sievers; two great-grandchildren: Dax and Blair Snitker with another due at the end of May; her brother James Hanson of Waukon; two sisters-in-law: Vera Hanson of New York and Shirley Steiber of Lansing, IA; and many granddogs.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Eddie in 2016; son-in-law Terry Johnson; and a brother Richard Hanson.

Honorary casketbearers are her granddaughters and great-grandchildren. Casketbearers are Bruce Snitker, Matt Snitker, Tim Phipps, Shane Sievers, Mike McDowell, and Dylan Vavrik.