Rev. Dr. Kenneth’s Obituary Kenneth Knappen was born on January 1, 1926 to Clayton C. Knappen and Thelma Ragan Knappen, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His sister Lois was born two years later.
His family lived through the difficult years of the Depression, developing a close bond of love. Ken has related happy memories of his childhood living beside Shady Oak Lake, Minnesota. A particular happy memory was running track during high school years.
At the age of nine, Ken accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord, in Rochester, MN. The story of his conversion was one that he related over and over, as the single most pivotal time of his life. His call to ministry came as a teenager.
He attended Northwestern Bible School, and Pillsbury College, earning his undergraduate degree. Later he earned a Master’s degree and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. Ken served God as Pastor in churches in Oakland, MN; Wild Rose, WI; Hoffman Estates, IL (planting the church); Brookfield, IL; Palos Heights, IL; Rochester, NY; and Buffalo, NY.
In the early 1970s, Ken helped found Leadership Res International, equipping pastors around the world. He led the Planning Council for the Billy Graham Buffalo Crusade in 1988, and served on the Executive Board of the National Association of Evangelicals. After retirement to Ocala, FL, Ken started and taught the Friendship Bible Class that grew from eight members to over 100, in the Ocala West United Methodist Church.
Ken wrote and published a book on understanding the Revelation, entitled God’s Magnificent Drama, and wrote a number of other booklets. In his last years and days, Ken ministered to everyone around him. He never tired of giving testimony to God’s goodness…”ALL the time!
” The love of Ken’s life was Bernice (Mitzie) Johnson. They met when he was a musician and song leader and she sang in a trio for various church and special services. They married on September 5, 1947.
The love they shared never wavered, and grew sweeter through the years. They were absolutely devoted to each other. Throughout their 72-year marriage, they were partners in ministry.
As their three children, Rebecca, Peter and MaryBeth were born, they consistently modeled love for God, for the family, and for those around them. Ken and Mitzie encouraged their children in their individual walks with the Lord, and with developing their own interests, education and talents. Soon enough, there were grandchildren (seven) and great-grandchildren (ten).
All were loved and cherished. Ken Knappen was a man who constantly pushed forward in everything he did, in pastoring, parenting, sports, hobbies and having fun! Ken’s love for the beauty of trees spanned his lifetime, which in turn could be represented by “a tree planted by streams of living water…” (Psalm 1:3).
Ken’s life is a beacon to all the thousands of people who were touched by him. His unwavering commitment to God defined his life here on earth, and it will continue to define him throughout eternity. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 10 am at Bethany Covenant Church.
Interment will follow in the Memorial Garden at church.
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