December 19, 1925 – November 4, 2025
Emma (Willert) Knapper, age 99, formerly of Thompson, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills, Iowa. Funeral arrangements are incomplete with Schott Funeral Homes Mittelstadt Chapel, 902 E. Main St. in Lake Mills.
Emma Mildred (Willert) Knapper was born on December 19, 1925 near Thompson, IA, the daughter of Carl Sr. and Emma (Johnson) Willert. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.
She was united in marriage to Jerry John’s Knapper on April 4, 1943 at the Miller Faith Lutheran Church in Miller, IA.
She loved her church and was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Thompson, IA, where she was a member of Ladies Aid.
She lived and worked all her life in the Thompson and Forest City area. She was a secretary for many years for Dr. Jorgensen, DVM, in Forest City. She worked at Winnebago Industries, enjoyed being a waitress, and was President of the Young at Heart Card Club of Thompson, IA.
Emma loved music, flowers, playing cards and games, but most of all loved spending time with her grandchildren, family, and friends.
She is survived by her four grandchildren, Matthew Knapper (Emily), Scott Knapper (Presli), Amy Bartz (David), and Jerry Keith (Stephenie); seven great-grandchildren, Lincoln and Harriet (children of Matthew), Alex (child of Scott), Bryce and Samuel (children of Amy), and Brayden and Brenley (children of Jerry); along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl Sr. and Emma Willert; her husband, Jerry, in 1990; her son, Richard “Rich,” in 2009; her daughter, Carol, in 2019; her grandson, Stephen, in 202; brothers and their wives, Henry and Aagot, Johnnie and Roscelia, Elmer and Betty, Fred, John in infancy, Carl Jr. and Iva, and Walter; sisters and their husbands, Pearl and Fred Alphs, Margaret and Anton Heitland, Mary and William Albers, Gladys and Elwood Brekken, Agnes and Martin “Ted” Thompson, and Irine and Vern Peterson; along with many nieces and nephews.
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