Jean Knapp, East Moline, Illinois, formerly of Rockford, Illinois; passed away on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at the Clarissa C Cook Hospice House. Private family services will be held in Rockford, Illinois. Memorials in Jean’s name may be made to American Cancer Association or charity of your choosing.
Jean was born on May 5, 1927 in Beloit, WI to Andrew and Emily Olen. She was united in marriage to William D. Knapp in Rockton, Illinois on November 16, 1947; he preceded her in death on May 17, 1964.
Jean graduated from Beloit High School and went to work as a secretary to the sales engineer at the Beloit Iron Works. After she married Bill, they moved to Rockford, IL and she went to work as an assistant for McCanna & Morsbach, patent attorneys for five years. Jean and Bill moved to Belvidere, Illinois where they started their family. They then moved back to Rockford to raise their two girls. Jean and Bill moved to East Moline, Illinois in 1963 when Bill took a job as the president of Community Saving and Loan. Jean worked for Deere and Company for 22 years, retiring in 1986.
Jean was a member of the Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, National Secretary Association, the Illini Hospital Auxiliary, and the Deere Retires Group. Jean was also a volunteer with the American Heart Association and the Illini Hospital Auxiliary.
Those left to honor Jean’s memory are her daughters Bonnie (Michael) Slater of Coal Valley, IL and Marcia Murphy of Bettendorf, IA; and her grandson Todd Slater of Merrillville, IN. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents, her brothers Robert and Andrew Olen; and her best friend Fran Flidr.
The family would like to extend a thank you to those who made her so happy including her Deere & Company friends, Overlook Village, Clarissa C Cook Hospice House, and to her special friend Elaine Guy who took such good care of her.
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