Beatrice “Bea” Yvonne (Hershberger) Knepp, 79, of Fayetteville, Ark., formerly of Afton, Oklahoma, and Kalona, Iowa, died Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, at the Circle of Life Hospice House in Springdale, Ark. A celebration of her life was held Monday, Aug. 22, 2022, at East Union Mennonite Church in rural Kalona, with Pastor Joel Beachy officiating. Burial followed at the East Union Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for the family’s use.
Bea was born Feb.13, 1943, in Wellman, Iowa, the daughter of Clyde and Ollie (Brenneman) Hershberger. She attended Iowa Mennonite School.
On Aug. 12, 1961, she was united in marriage to Edward Knepp at West Union Mennonite Church. Her first few years of marriage were spent in Evanston, Ill. in the 1W service. Bea was a farmer’s wife and was a cook for the University of Iowa for more than 20 years. She was a member of East Union Mennonite Church.
Bea was known for her ‘famous’ cinnamon rolls and were gifted to many. Her door was always open and it was not uncommon for visitors to drop by unannounced and stay for a meal. Bea enjoyed cooking, playing the organ, listening to music, scrapbooking, and spending time with her family.
Survivors include five children: Randy (Cathy) Knepp of Oklahoma, Lyn (Ami) Knepp of Iowa, Brad (Tracy) Knepp of Arkansas, Darla (Eddie) Trejo of Australia, Jina (Wally) Almquist of Illinois; 18 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and four siblings: Elaine Cole, Herb Hershberger, Larry Hershberger, and Linda Cole.
Preceding Bea in death were her parents; her husband: Ed; four children: Diane, Eddie, Ryan, and Jody; and her brother: Cecil Hershberger.
Peterseim Funeral Home, www.peterseimfuneralhome.com
