Melvin F Knapp

Funeral services for Melvin F. Knapp, 92, of Madison will be at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, January 27, 2018 at St. John Green Garden Church, Madison.  Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery, Madison.  Visitation will be Friday from 4-7 p.m. at Resseguie Funeral Home.

            A lifelong Madison resident, Melvin died Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at Memorial Hospital, Seward, NE.

            He was the son of Frank P. and Martha C. (Nathan) Knapp, born June 4, 1925 in Norfolk, NE. He was baptized, and confirmed at St. John Green Garden Lutheran Church and attended school at St. John Green Garden Lutheran School, west of Madison. He graduated from Madison High School in 1943.

            On June 29, 1947 he married his “Sweetie” Norma Jean Peterson, at St. John Green Garden. Melvin farmed west of Madison for 30 years and sold DeKalb seed corn for 35 years. While still on the farm Melvin purchased Paul Robertson Insurance. In January 1977, he and Norma Jean moved to Madison. Melvin continued to farm and his insurance business, naming it Melvin Knapp Insurance. He continued the insurance business for 42 years, retiring in July of 2017. During that time, he also worked for Norfolk Mutual Insurance, he served on the board of directors for many years and was president of the company for 20 years.

            Melvin was known by his family and friends to be a generously kind, friendly and fair man, who always had time to tell a good story or find a fun bargain at a garage sale.

            Besides working hard Melvin had an enthusiasm for life that reflected early on, by taking Norma Jean dancing, playing his accordion and organ, and inventing items to meet his needs. He developed a passion for restoring antique cars and driving them In Madison parades, with Norma Jean by his side to throw out candy. His grandchildren loved riding the mopeds he collected.

            Melvin leaves behind lots of happy smiles and memories for survivors: his wife Norma Jean, son Randy (Brenda) Knapp, daughter Vicky (Bruce) Luhr, six grandchildren, Justin Luhr, Andrew Wacker, Bryan (Danell) Knapp, Angela (Shannon) Vergil, Brandon Knapp and Kara Knapp, six great-grandchildren, Tarick Rowe, Ava Rowe, Zane Vergil, Kolton Carlson, Wyatt Knapp and Callie Vergil, and one brother Frank (Wilma) Knapp Jr.

            He was preceded in death by his parents, a son-in-law John Wacker and a sister-in-law Judeen Knapp..

 Service Information