Judith Arlene Knapp

Born December 20, 1939, in Marquette, one of ten children born to John and Ethel (Mahaffey) Noel, Judy was raised in Sands. She graduated from Gwinn High School, Class of 1957, and the following day began a long employment with Michigan Bell Telephone Company. Her career began as a telephone operator and later, when AT&T acquired Michigan Bell, she continued as an engineer for a combined total career of 34 years. She and husband, Thomas, retired in 1994.

She married Thomas M. Knapp on September 8, 1962 and together the couple made their first home in Little Lake with subsequent relocations to Marquette and finally Midway Drive in Negaunee Township. Judy was a loving and caring wife, mother, and homemaker, who balanced her various roles with her working career. She was a good mom and grandma, with the grandchildren especially being the loves of her life. Generous with her time and talent, Judy also possessed a tough, and sometimes stubborn, side which became apparent for the almost seven years that she battled dementia issues. Although the grandchildren were her life, and she enjoyed following their events, Judy also enjoyed bingo, traveling, camping, and sitting on her porch with a good cup of coffee and a cigarette, watching life unfold. For a time, she also served as an Avon representative. Judy was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and Christian Women.

Judy is survived by her husband of 56 years, Thomas M. Knapp; her children, Thomas J. (Kristin) Knapp of Palmer, Timothy M. (Kristy) Knapp of Negaunee, and Jason D. Knapp of Santa Monica, CA; her grandchildren, Cody (Kelsey) Reyes, Taura Knapp, Marshall Knapp, and Mitchell Knapp; great-grandchildren, Holden Reyes and Aurora Knapp; sisters, Pauline (the late Don) Swenor of Little Lake, Sandy (Dave) Persons of Madison, WI, and Kay Noel of Kansas City, KS; brothers, Vernon “Butch”ù (Helen) Noel of Little Lake and Jim (Lisa) Noel of Minnesota; numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Judy was preceded in death by her siblings, Jeanette (the late Bob) Williams, Marjorie Nielsen, Debbie (the late Bill) Polk, and William Noel.

The family will receive relatives and friend at Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services on Tuesday, June 18, beginning at 11:00 am until the time of service at 1:00 pm. Rev. Allan Johnson will officiate. Interment will be made in the Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Thomas J. Knapp, Timothy M. Knapp, Jason Knapp, Marshall Knapp, Mitchell Knapp, Donald Black, Jim Jantzen, and Eddie Arias. A reception will follow in the reception room located at the funeral home.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com