Margaret Jane Knapp, 95, of Akeley died Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007 at her home.
She was born Oct. 29, 1912 at Lowery's Prairie, OK to George William and Clara Ann (Montgomery) Hamilton. Her early years were spent in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas. Following the death of her mother, she was raised by her grandmothers and aunts. She graduated from Collinsville High School, Collinsville, OK, in 1930. She attended the University of Tulsa for two years majoring in music. She was a concert violinist and a soloist for area churches.
She married Harold Smith Knapp June 23, 1935 in Collinsville. She worked as a bank teller and during World War II, worked for McDonald-Douglas Aircraft in Tulsa, OK, building wing assemblies for bombers. They moved to Brighton, IL in 1949. She worked as the secretary to the superintendent and head bookkeeper for the Community Unit School Dist. 9 from 1950-73 in Piasa, IL. They moved to Akeley in June 1973. She worked at the Ah-Gwah-Ching State Nursing Home in Walker for several years.
She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Akeley.
She is survived by a daughter, Luann (Harvey) Woods of Akeley; one grandson and many nieces and nephews.
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She was preceded in death by her parents and stepmother; her husband in 1999; three brothers, Thomas, William H. and James D.
Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorial service: 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Akeley with Rev. Harvey Kietzman officiating. Christie Semmler is the soloist and Ardis Johnson will be the organist.
Inurnment: Akeley Cemetery in the spring.
