Rinehold (Ronnie) Knopp

(Jan. 14, 1924 - Nov. 20, 2018)

Posted

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, Rinehold Knopp, known to his friends and family as Ronnie, passed away suddenly at his home on Nov. 20, 2018. He was born Jan. 14, 1924, to Gustav and Margaret Knopp in Kulm, North Dakota. He was the fourth son of eight children. He married his spunky redheaded bride, Betty Jean Sand, of Powell, on Oct. 14, 1943. They just celebrated 75 wonderful years of marriage on Oct. 14 of this year.

After Ronnie and Betty were married, Ronnie went to serve his country with the Army in World War II in France as an interpreter of German prisoners of war. He was honorably discharged in May 1949. After the war, Ronnie and Betty farmed in Powell, then later moved to a homestead near Heart Mountain, where they raised their family of four children. During that time, he owned the first poultry farm in Park County, with 6,000 laying hens at the peak. Their poultry farm supplied eggs to most of the Big Horn Basin communities.

Serving his community was his passion. He was elected to serve on the Cody School Board for two four-year terms. His great joy was to present high school diplomas to all four of his children. This was especially important to him, since he didn’t have the opportunity to graduate from high school himself, attending only through the seventh grade. He was also elected as a Park County Commissioner during the time that the courthouse annex was built. Because of how he valued education, he was humbled to be able to donate his commissioner salary from his last term to help establish a nursing scholarship at Northwest College.

In his retirement, Ronnie loved working with his hands and became a master woodworker in carving and furniture making. He made baby cribs for his grandchildren to pass on to future generations, deacon benches and carousel horses, just to name a few. He exhibited at the Park County Fair and Cody Art League, where he was awarded many honors. Ronnie and Betty also loved traveling in the United States and Europe with many special friends. The past few years, they spent lots of time outside walking daily, gardening, visiting with friends and family, and watching a few great-grandkids’ sporting events.

Ronnie is survived by his wife Betty; children Kathy (Joe) Reed of Cody, Larry (Carol) Knopp of Las Vegas, Nevada, Steven (Barb) Knopp of Cody, and Marianne (Dean) Brosious of Craig, Colorado; and one sister, Lilian. They are also blessed with 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Al, Harry and Ed, baby brother; two sisters, Emma and Esther; and a daughter-in-law, Pam.

Services were held on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, at First Presbyterian Church in Cody.

In lieu of flowers, money can be sent to the Nursing Scholarship at Northwest College. Condolences and cards may be sent to Betty Knopp, 161 Lane 17, Cody, WY 82414.

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