Ellen J Knepper died peacefully Sun, Mar 26, 2006, at Brigadoon in Traverse City following a long illness.
Ellen Jerome Morrison Knepper, 85, was born Feb 24, 1921 in Rapid City, the daughter of Robert Purcell and Nellie Jerome Morrison.
Ellen graduated from Rapid City High School and received her teaching degree from Central Michigan University. She received her master's degree from the University of Michigan.
Ellen was a teacher in Kalkaska County during her early teaching years. She then taught in the Traverse City Area Public Schools at Sabin and East Bay elementary schools. Ellen taught in the Bridgeport-Spaulding School District for more than 20 years prior to her retirement.
Ellen served in the Women's Army Corps of the United States Army during WWII, and was stationed in Fort Knox, KY. She met and married her husband, Lloyd K Knepper, in Fort Knox while they both were in the service there.
Following his continued service overseas, the couple moved to Traverse City, where Ellen pursued her teaching career. After her retirement form teaching, Ellen and Lloyd built a home on their ranch at the family farm in Rapid City, and Ellen continued raising the horses she loved, and bought and sold antiques.
She was a member of the Michigan Trail Riders Association for many years. She made numerous trail rides across the state and made many wonderful friends. Her personal goal was to ride across the state until she was 80, and she nearly made that goal. Ellen sold her farm in 2004 and moved to Traverse City.
Ellen also was a talented artist. She painted many lovely paintings over the years, and was happy to spend her days at Brigadoon surrounded by her paintings and art items.
Ellen is survived by three daughters, Sharon Aungst of Ithaca, Connie (Ross) Cornejo of Merrill, and Kim (Dave) Sprunger of Merrill; six grandchildren, Melody Moore, Jeremy Knepper, Tony, April and Jill Cornejo, and Duane Billings; nine great grandchildren; sister, Margaret J Scott of Fife Lake; sister in law, Dorrie Morrison of Rapid City; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She will also be fondly remembered by many friends and neighbors. Ellen was precede din death by Lloyd, her husband of more than 50 years; a son, Joseph, at birth; a great grandchild, Taylor, at birth; and her brother, Robert J. Morrison.
Visitation was scheduled to take place Fri, Mar 31, from 6 to 8 pm at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
Services were to be held at 11 am on Sat, Apr 1, at the funeral home, with military honors under the auspices of the VFW Cherryland Post No 2780. The Rev. William Smith will be officiating the service. Burial will be in Clearwater Township Cemetery in Rapid City at a later date.
