Sarah Ann Knippa

Sarah Ann Knippa, 76, of Beaumont, passed away peacefully the evening of Monday, December 5, 2022, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, Texas.

She was born on September 1, 1946, to Bernice and Edgar Wesatzke, in Cameron. Growing up the oldest of 4 daughters, it was during this time that she was taught the values of family, giving time, and living a devoted life to Christ in the Lutheran Church.

On January 29 of 1972, she married her husband of 50 years Kenneth in Houston, Texas. In 1976, they moved to the Beaumont area to truly start their lives together. She gave birth to her first two sons Kyle and Karl on December 8, 1981, and their youngest boy Kevin on March 1, 1984.

She became the first female member to join the Lions Club in Beaumont area. She spent many a Friday night working the concession stands at high school football games, the primary fundraiser for the Lions club to do many things in the area during the 90’s and early 2000’s.

She graciously balanced her time between being on the city committee for disabled people, fund raising for various Lions Club organizations, serving her church and raising her family.

Weekends were maintained packed as well, as the family’s love for bowling was passed on to the boys. She would be at the bowling alley every Saturday from the time the youngest was going through middle school until he graduated from high school. She would then turn right around and be right at the bowling alley again on Sunday watching her husband bowl. In recent years, it turned more into just summer bowling on Thursdays but never the less, that is where she would be found.

As for Sunday church life, she could always be seen up singing with the St. John choir with her husband, for that was something that she loved dearly, was singing songs of praise to God. On days the choir was not singing, you can rest assure that her family would be sitting together singing the hymns and praising the Lord.

During the children’s middle school time, she could be seen at either Crockett ( now King) cheering at basketball games, attending band events or at Odom, going to various band events.

During the children’s high school time, she could always be found at the Friday night home games cheering on her sons marching in the Central Band or supporting her son serving in the ROTC unit. Her boys carried the same fervor about putting others first family, and dedication to Christ. She was immensely proud of her boys and cheered them on every step of the way.

Once Madison’s on Dowlen Road opened, it was almost a guarantee that you would see her and her husband there as regulars. They were there often enough that when her sons in the military would come home, they would go out to eat there and the waiters/waitresses would come over and make the oh wow, this is who we’ve heard so much about. It all comes back to family and Sarah made everyone feel like family.

She was loved by many. That cannot be overstated enough. She was the type that if you were a friend of her boys, then you were like one of children even into adult hood.

She will be greatly missed in this community, for she touched the hearts of anyone she came in contact with.

Proverbs 31:17 “She sets about her work vigorously, her arms are strong for her tasks.”

Proverbs 31:20 “She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy”

Proverbs 31: 26-28 “ She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her”

These are some of the verses that can accurately describe her life and legacy.

She will be greatly missed in this community, for she touched the hearts of anyone she came in contact with.

Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Knippa; children, Karl Knippa and his wife, Michelle, of San Diego, California; Kevin Knippa and his wife, Alyssa, of Charleston, South Carolina; and Kyle Knippa of Beaumont; grandson, Alec Knippa; sisters, Carol Nylund and her husband, Howard and Melinda Wren; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Edgar and Bernice and sister, Evelyn Wesatzke.

A gathering of Mrs. Knippa’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, December 9, 2022, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 10, 2022, at St. John Lutheran Church, 2955 South Major Drive, Beaumont. Her interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, 2955 South Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77707.