Joni Marie (Kaufmann) Knapp, age 67, of Atlantic, IA passed away at her residence, on Sunday, January 26, 2025, after a courageous six month battle with cancer.
Joni was born October 14, 1957, in Massena, IA, to Marion and Jerry (Bailey) Kaufmann. A studious little girl in the Anita school system, she graduated from Anita High School in 1975. Two months later, Joni married her high school sweetheart Bobby Allan Knapp at the Anita Methodist Church on August 2. In 1978, they became parents to their daughter Deena, followed by their son, Daniel. The family spent a decade in Adair before moving to the Kaufmann family farm east of Anita, where they lived for the remainder of their marriage. Joni and Bob loved dancing, bowling, taking family camping trips and cheering the kids on at school and sports activities.
As a 14-year-old teenager, Joni started working in the kitchen at the Anita Nursing Home. She later earned her LPN license from Iowa Western Community College in 1977. Recognized for her dedication and work ethic, she was quickly hired as an LPN and worked her way into administration, spending nearly two decades at the nursing home on the hill. Joni then helped build the behavioral mental health unit at the Cass County Hospital for the next ten years. Joni then transitioned to selling life insurance for Modern Woodman; her ability to communicate empathetically (ie… persuasion skills!) the importance of life planning earned her numerous sales awards including a trip to Paris, France in which she and Bob were both ready for a steak dinner upon return. Tired of the driving and time away from home in the evenings, she started a final career at American Equity where she was one of the top performers in the conservation department. She insured clients were fully informed about the pros and cons of any policy changes before processing the release of contract or funds. After retiring at the end of 2022, Joni moved from the Anita farm to Atlantic. Not one to sit idle long, she started working part-time at the Atlantic library within the year.
Joni’s work accomplishments were matched by her distinctive personality. Known for her need for things to match, she regularly accessorized with jewelry, shoes, purses and even her “cheater readers” with her outfit of the day. As a night owl, she often cleaned the house in the middle of the night, usually while baking something sweet or savory to share with family, friends or co-workers. If the dust was taken care of, you could often find her reading a book or chatting on the phone. Joni loved living on the farm and playing with her corgis Sassy and Lady. She enjoyed lunches with her mom, wine-tasting with her dad and visiting with her friends, and her greatest joy was being “Grammie.” She cherished shopping and swimming with Kirstyn, snuggling and playing with “little man” Dekker. , and searching for “just the right thing!” for all of her loved ones birthday and Christmas presents.
Joni is survived by her daughter Deena (Kael) Godwin of Washougal, WA, son Daniel (Brittany) Knapp of Tulsa, OK, parents Marion and Jerry Kaufmann of Atlantic, IA, brother Joey (Ellen) Kaufmann of Anita, IA, six beloved grandchildren Kirstyn Bisig of Washougal, WA, and Dekker, Presli, Audri, Daxon, and Daisi Knapp, all of Tulsa, OK; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Joni is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 46 years Bob Knapp; mother-in-law Phyllis Knapp; father-in-law, Orville Knapp; grandparents; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Public visitation with the family will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Atlantic Schmidt Family Funeral Home on Friday, January 31, 2025.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, February 1, 2025, Atlantic First United Methodist Church, with Pastor Dan Wiebesiek officating the service. A BBQ luncheon to follow the service in the comminuty room at the Atlantic Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic.
A private interment will take place at the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, IA for immediate family after the luncheon.
Memorials may be directed to the Knapp family in memory of Joni, they will be desiganted at a later date. Memorials may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.
The staff of Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic is handling the arrangements.
