Josephine Schaefer "Jo" Knapp

1934 - 2021

Longtime Alaskan and Kasilof resident, Mrs. Josephine "Jo" Schaefer Knapp, 86, passed away Saturday, January 23, 2021 at her home in Kasilof with her family by her side.

A funeral service was held from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 29, 2021 at Peninsula Memorial Chapel & Crematory – 5839 Kenai Spur Hwy – Kenai. Josephine was laid to rest next to her husband Bud at the Spruce Grove Memorial Park in kasilof following services.

Josephine was born June 13, 1934 in Snag Point Dillingham, Alaska. She lived in Snag Point from 1934 to 1952. She moved to Anchorage in 1952 to 1955 met Bud Knapp and they married. In 1955 they moved to Mt Edgecumbe started a family 8 kids in 10 1/2 years. In 1961 moved to Hoonah after that made a home in Juneau in 1962 until 1979. In 1980 Jo and Bud and three daughters moved to California until 1993. In 1993 she moved to Kasilof where she has lived ever since. She was a long-distance operator in the 1970's. from 1980 to 2005 she was always an entrepreneur; Jo and Bud owned and operated A Wilderness Store in Kasilof for many years. Josephine was quick to make friends and volunteered to deliver meals on wheels in the 1980's. She taught all us kids how to cook. She loved fishing, smoking salmon, knitting, crocheting, family time, ancestry, berry picking, always had a vegetable garden and flowers, hoping to catch a glimpse of her favorite hummingbirds.

The family wrote, "Our lasting memories of our Mom are simple: A hard working, amazing cook, passionate figure of strength who never wavered in her support and love of her family and dearest friends. She soldiered on even when times were tough, and when times were tough, she would tell us "Chin Up". The most remarkable qualities as she aged were her gratitude and humility and the strength to endure. She found her strength in the Lord God and Love! She was so extraordinarily strong and courageous right up until she went home to be with the Lord. This is how we will remember her and her beautiful legacy on Earth. Mom, Auhna, Friend and Auntie, we love you.

She was preceded in death by her Husband, "Bud" Francis Knapp and parents, Natalia Wasilly and Joseph Schaefer.

She is survived by her sons, Francis Andrew Knapp of Kasilof, Joseph T. Knapp of Clayton, CA, Gerald B. Knapp of Kasilof, Ross S. Knapp of Kasilof, and Carl W. Knapp of Napa, CA, daughters, Denice M. Drury of Anchorage, Nellie J. Knapp Mills of Tulalip, WA, and Natalia E. Knapp of Kasilof; 12 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel & Crematory. Please visit or sign her online guestbook at AlaskanFuneral.com.