David E. Knapp, age 59 of Pleasant Prairie, passed away at United Hospital System – St. Catherine’s Hospital on Thursday, May 21, 2015, surrounded by his loving family after a short illness due to renal complications.

Born in Kenosha on November 18, 1955, he was the son of Harvey and Lillian (Giacomin) Knapp. He attended local schools.

On October 30, 1981, he married his soul mate, Joan Smith.

Dave was employed for 30 years as a carpenter/superintendent for Rasch Construction. He retired in 2012 due to his illness. Previously Dave and his father started Knapp and Associates Home Improvement. In his younger years he was employed as a deliveryman with Montgomery Wards.

Dave loved working with his hands and he used his expertise to help his family and friends. His lifelong dream to build his own home finally came true in 2001. Sixteen months of working after his day job and on weekends he completed his dream with the help of family and friends. He also helped his daughter and son-in-law remodel their home.

He enjoyed riding his motorcycle on Sundays with his wife Joan, along the rustic roads of Wisconsin. He took many road trips with his friends, including Sturgis, South Dakota and to Colorado.

After retiring, Dave enjoyed spending time with his grandson David, fishing, mushroom hunting, playing cribbage, going for breakfast, caring for his mother Lillian, and working with his son Erik.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Knapp of Pleasant Prairie; his two children, Jessica (Dan) Lorge and Erik Knapp; his precious grandson, David Lorge; his mother, Lillian Knapp; his sister, Ramona (Vince) Clingman; his brother, Harvey (Taryn) Knapp; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Janet (David) Wente, Bill (Lisa) Smith, Jill (Michael) Seebruch, Jean (Michael) Turner and Julee Smith; and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harvey Knapp.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Milosevic, St. Catherine’s dialysis center; especially Joannie, Scott, Tristan, Annette, both Kathy’s and the countless others who helped Dave during his illness.

Service Info

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Piasecki-Althaus Funeral, 3720 39th Avenue.