Helen Knuppe

Helen F. Knuppe, 77, of Waukon died Monday, February 28, 2022 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Thursday, March 3 at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating and with burial in the church cemetery. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Helen Frances Knuppe was born March 18, 1944 in Des Moines, the daughter of Lester Brainard and Rita Knuppe. She spent some of her early years at various children’s homes in the Des Moines area until 1961, when she moved to rural Waukon to live with her mother, Rita, and Harold Severson.

Helen received her education from a number of sources at the various places she lived while growing up and continued learning throughout her life. After living with Rita and Harold, Helen lived in an apartment on her own in Waukon for several years before moving to Makee Manor in Waukon. She has been a resident at the Good Samaritan Society since 2009.

Since she always wanted to be productive and active, Helen did some office work at the Allamakee County Courthouse and worked at Quandahl’s Red Owl Cafe, both in Waukon. Helen spent a lot of time at TASC, where she learned to embroider, knit, crochet and weave rugs; all of these talents she was willing to share with others. She enjoyed her independence and loved driving her car to go shopping, which was one of her favorite pastimes.

Helen also liked working jigsaw puzzles and was an avid baseball fan, following the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers. She also loved to take bus trips to several places in the United States.

Survivors include her mother, Rita Severson of Waukon; and several cousins. She is preceded in death by her father, Lester; and her step-father, Harold Severson.

Casketbearers were John Roe, family members and church members. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.