Obituary of Ervin E. Knepp

Ervin Earl Knepp born November 23, 1929, the son of Lizzie (Bender) Knepp and Eli Jay Knepp in Kalona, Iowa, passed away at his home on September 28, 2021. Erv’s family will receive guests at the Morse Community Club (2542 Putnam Street N.E., Iowa City) on Monday, October 11 from 11-2. Military honors will be rendered graveside at the Morse cemetery at 2:30 pm, also on Monday. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in his memory. He married Marjorie Marie Sines on January 29, 1956, in Washington, Iowa. They moved to Morse, Iowa and lived there for the past 65 years. Erv served during the Korean War from December 1950-1952. He was in the US Army Company B 127th Airborne Engineer Battalion. He was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia and Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Erv had many jobs, but his career was at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa beginning in 1955. He was a surgical technician for 30 years before retiring. Erv loved gardening and flowers. He was always outside doing something. Erv loved building. He built their second house and a neighbors house in Morse. He was a jack of all trades, a do it yourselfer. He was always busy. He was a provider for his family. They canned and froze vegetables from his garden. He raised chickens and rabbits as well. Erv loved to hunt and fish. He and Marge traveled to White Hill Haven and Blackduck, Minnesota every summer for years. It was a passion of theirs. A great time with friends and family. Erv and Marge made sure that there was a 2 week family vacation every summer for the family of six. Erv and Marge were very active in Morse. Neighbors gathered together for parties, BBQ’s, softball, hog roasts, and conversation. They were founding and active members of the Morse Community Club in Morse. Erv did a lot of work in the building of the club. He and Marge were officers, and served on the Board of Trustees. Over the years, they participated in all of the clubs events; ice cream socials, soup suppers, dances, euchre, Christmas with Santa, and various events. Erv and Marge belonged to a group of card players who hosted monthly for a game of pitch. They also belonged to a square dance club and a bowling league. Erv and Marge were members of our Lord’s Church in Solon. Over the past 18 years Erv lead a life in the dark. He unfortunately lost his eye sight due to glaucoma. This was a devastating blow to Erv, being that lively outdoorsman who could no longer do the things he loved. The greatest love of his life was his family, especially his beloved Margie. His family includes his four daughters, Terry Serovy, Sue Gerlits (Vincent), Debbie Venier, and Laurie Knepp; grandchildren, Andy Serovy (Lisa), Angela Burke, Shawn Knepp (Terri), Brandy Krob (Joe), Vincent John Gerlits (Kelsey) and Doug Knepp; great-grandchildren, Zach Serovy, Logan Burke, Slate Burke, Shawn Knepp Jr. Samantha Knepp, Alyssa Knepp, Sawyer Gerlits, Jasper Gerlits, Loretta Gerlits, and two great-great grandchildren, Adira and Leeona Knepp, and sister-in-law, Janice Widmer. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Marjorie, his parents Lizzie and Eli Knepp, his brother and sister-in-law, Meredith and Virginia Knepp, brother and sister-in-law Edgar and Geneva Knepp and sister and brother-in-law LaVelda and Don Ayers, Sons-in-law, Mike Serovy and Fabian Venier. Please continue to keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.