Iris J. Knapp, 97, of Hot Springs, SD, passed away, August 4, 2018, at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home in Hot Springs.

Iris was born, June, 10, 1921, in Osmond, Pierce County, NE, to George and Sylvia (Roberts) Taylor. She attended country school in the Panhandle of Nebraska and worked for room and board at St. Joseph's Hospital in Alliance, NE, for four years while attending high school. She graduated in 1939 from Alliance High School. Iris married Vernon Alfred Knapp on October 1, 1939, in Chadron, NE and she was a stay-at-home mother to her family until the youngest entered school. Iris then worked at the Oral School as a lunch cook for fifteen years and also worked in the summer with the Mammoth Earthwatch group for 20 summers as their cook. Iris was a Charter Member of the Oral Daylighters Extension and Social Club and a Life Member of the VFW Auxiliary 1640 in Hot Springs.

Iris enjoyed her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also took great pleasure in sewing quilts and teddy bears for them. Iris also spent countless hours volunteering at the local Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home. She learned to enjoy spaghetti on Thursday nights with the group at the United Churches and probably her most enjoyable times were spent visiting with her many family, friends and neighbors.

Grateful to have shared her life are seven sons and wives, Phillip of Hot Springs; Jimmie of Hot Springs; Johnnie (Jane) of Rapid City, SD; Jerry (Sharon) of Missoula, MT; Marvin of Omaha, NE; David (Denise) of Nathrop, CO; Tommy J. (Connie) of Madison, SD; two brothers-in-law, two sisters-in-law; 19 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; numerous nephews and nieces as well as several cousins and many special friends.

Iris was preceded in death by her parents; infant brother; husband, Vernon in 1988; sister, Marjorie Craig in 1995; father-in-law, George Knapp in 1977; mother-in-law, Alice Younkin in 1988; and daughter in law, Susan in 2014.

Memorial Services will be held 10:00 am, Friday, September 7, 2018, at Chamberlain-McColley's Funeral Home in Hot Springs with Chaplain Morris Nelson officiating. Committal services will be held 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 7, 2018, at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Iris' name to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Hot Springs.