Joyce May Knapp, 89, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2024, at Hospice House, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on May 30, 1935, in Wall, South Dakota, to Reginald and Meta Shull, Joyce lived a life full of kindness, love, and unwavering faith. She married the love of her life, Henry “Hank” Knapp, on October 3, 1952, in Rapid City, South Dakota. Together, they built a beautiful family and a legacy of joy that touched countless lives.

Joyce’s professional life reflected her hardworking spirit and dedication. She worked as a personnel manager at Kresge’s Department Store for many years and, later, at KMart after Kresge’s closed. However, her favorite role was cooking for the children of Westside Pre-School & Daycare, where she shared her love and nurturing nature through her meals.

A proud and loving grandmother to Jason, Chad, Amber, Andrea, CJ, and Nic, Joyce cherished her family and found immense joy in creating memories with them. She delighted in fishing trips to Center Lake and wintering with Hank in South Padre Island, Texas, where they collected seashells, took day trips to Mexico, and enjoyed the warmth of the southern sun.

In South Padre Island, Grandma Joyce discovered a passion for crafting sock monkeys. Her “sock monkey ministry” became legendary, with over 3,000 handcrafted monkeys made with love and given freely to children and adults alike. For the last three years, every child at Hill City Elementary received one of her unique creations, a tradition that exemplified her generous and caring spirit.

Joyce’s life was also filled with cherished moments spent playing cribbage on Tuesdays with her brother Butch and enjoying the companionship of her faithful dog, Sadie. Despite a diagnosis of lung and brain cancer in October, Joyce embraced her final days with grace, saying she had been blessed with 89 wonderful years and was ready to join her heavenly home.

Joyce is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Henry; her sisters, Eva Boon, Carrol Street, and Reba Thompson; her brothers, Norris Shull, Garold Shull, and Charles Shull; and her granddaughter, Tony Sue Knapp.

She is survived by her children: Henry, Jr. (Cathy), Paul (Barb), and John (Kris); her grandchildren: Jason (Stephanie), Chad (Suzy), Amber (Travis), CJ, Andrea (John), and Nic (Jerica); 15 great-grandchildren; her brother Ralph “Butch”; and her loyal dog, Sadie.

Private family services will be held on Friday, December 20, 2024. Friends are invited to visit with the family during a reception at 11:00 AM at Westminster Church, 1012 Sioux San Drive.

Joyce’s family would like to thank Hospice House for their compassionate care during her final days. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages acts of kindness in Joyce’s honor, echoing her generous spirit and the love she so freely shared.

Joyce May Knapp will be remembered as a woman of great faith, unyielding love, and a heart as warm as the sock monkeys she so lovingly made. Her legacy will live on in the lives she touched and the memories she left behind.