James L. Knapp

James (Jim) L. Knapp, 79, a resident of Fergus Falls, passed away peacefully on Tuesday July 18, 2017 at Pioneer Care surrounded by his family.

Born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota on February 6, 1938 to James H. & Marjorie (Lindquist) Knapp, Jim enjoyed living in the Fergus Falls community for the majority of his life.

In his younger years, Jim was active in helping his parents raise quarter horses, along with driving cab for the family taxi service. Shortly after graduating from high school in 1956, Jim began his career with Ottertail Power Company, where he retired as Chief Dispatcher/System Operations in 1998. He was a life member of American Power Dispatchers Association, where he served as National Secretary and a National Outstanding Service Award.

Jim was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying a lifelong passion for hunting, fishing, and sporting clays. One of his greatest enjoyments was duck hunting with his son, Jeff. An important part of his life was spent at deer hunting camp near Blackduck, MN, beginning in the early 1970’s. Jim made sure that family values and hunting traditions, which he learned from his grandfather and father, be passed to future generations.

Jim and Janet purchased their cabin at Fish Lake in 1980 and enjoyed their summers at the peacefully beautiful paradise they created together, where they always welcomed friends and family with warm hospitality.

While Jim enjoyed escorting his wife, Janet, on their many quilting safaris, he also led Janet & their children on many adventurous excursions, explorations and travels (too numerous to fully mention) – from backpacking on Ram Lake, to portaging through the Boundary Waters, and (as a couple) traversing throughout the US, Europe, the Caribbean, and Mexico. Their favorite trip was in 1979, when they drove 8,060 miles throughout Alaska.

As a proud citizen of the United States and an active member of the community he was involved in many organizations, associations and clubs - from Boy Scouts and Fergus Falls Saddle Club to the Elks, Eagles, NRA, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Amateur Trapshooting Association, Lakes Curling, Fergus Falls Hockey Association, and served as a director and officer for Fergus Falls Fish & Game, Fergus Falls Fish & Game Club Foundation and Lakes Area Shooting.

Jim was an active man of faith and a member of Federated Church in Fergus Falls since 1947. He served on the Board of Managers and was ordained as an Elder in 2013. You could find him serving everything from coffee to communion, and from washing dishes to sweeping floors. He thoroughly enjoyed supporting Janet’s love for organizing the annual spring salad luncheons for nearly a decade.

He was an easy conversationalist with warm welcoming hugs often enjoying his many breakfasts with friends at the Viking Cafe, shooting the breeze while playing snooker at The Corner, or just bumping into someone at Fleet Farm.

Jim was extremely proud of his son, Jeff Knapp and his wife, Dawn Johnson (Underwood, MN); daughter, Jacki Knapp-Raaen and her husband, Jack Raaen (Fargo, ND); and his four grandchildren and four great grandchildren: Krystle Smith, her husband, Rick, and their children, Genevieve & Caroline (Otsego, MN); Shayla Baumgarten (Fargo, ND); Alison Davis, her husband, Bryant, and their children Collyns and Cohen (San Antonio, TX); and Karl Baumgarten & his beautiful fiancée, Stephanie Wolf (Fargo, ND).

But no one filled Jim’s heart and life like his treasured wife and high school sweetheart, Janet (Hensch) Knapp, whom he joyfully married on December 28, 1957. His devotion and adoration for her was an inspiration to the many family members and friends who had the great blessing of witnessing their loving interaction over the 60 years they danced their way through marriage together.

The only other ladies who ever turned Jim’s head were his golden labs (Jill, Abby, Sally, Heidi and Greta) who joined him in his many outdoor adventures.

Jim is survived by his only sibling and brother Chuck (Cheryl) Knapp, Yellville, AK; his cousin, Joe “Brother Forbes” (Joan, Bemidji); his sister-in-law Mary Hensch Little, Bloomington, MN; and his brother-in-law Richard (Susan) Hensch, Altamonte Springs, FL. as well as many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and other cherished friends.

Jim was a man of patience who will be greatly missed by the many people whose lives he so profoundly touched and so easily gave love to. He was a passionate, patient man who enjoyed easy laughter and lovingly shared advice with anyone who asked. He was a man of great charm and kindness, who brandished a playful grin and a knowing chuckle.

Family and friends will be welcomed on Monday, July 24 from 5:00 until 7:00pm at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, with a public prayer service at 6:30 PM, and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. A celebration in honor of his life will be held at Federated Church in Fergus Falls on Tuesday July 25 at 11:00am, with the Reverends Doug Dent and Ed Morgan co-celebrating. Family will greet guests at lunch, after the service. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of floral arrangements, please consider a memorial donation to Federated Church, Fergus Falls Fish & Game Club Foundation or Lakes Area Shooting.
Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, MN.
Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com .