Samuel Charles Knopp

Samuel Charles Knopp, 86, of Red Wing, died Saturday at the Fairview Red Wing Medical Center. He was born December 10, 1922 in Winona to Paul and Agnes (Masyga) Knopp and attended school in Winona. He enlisted in the US Navy on November 29, 1940. He was a gunner's mate 1st Class and served on the USS Saratoga and the USS West Virginia. While in the service he received nine stars on his Asiatic Ribbon he was honorably discharged on Dec. 25, 1945. He worked for the Department of Entomology and Animal Husbandry in Winona until 1951. Samuel married Elaine Moore on February 22, 1952 in Minneapolis. They moved to Red Wing and he worked at Bay State Milling and Red Wing Malting Company. He then owned and operated Red Wing Rusco Company until his retirement in 1985. Samuel enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking, camping, and was a member of the Leo C. Peterson #54 American Legion and Burnson Lillyblad #1218 VFW.

Samuel is survived by his wife Elaine of Red Wing; children David Becker of Winona, Mary (Reg) Pelowski of White Bear Lake, and Sam (Candi) Knopp of Castle Rock, Colorado; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers Michael of Red Wing, Charles (Sherri) of Winona, and Paul (Carol) of Cross Plains, Wisconsin; sisters Margaret Knopp of Winona and Pauline (Victor) Hernandez of Dallas, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers James and Dave; a sister Betty Vickroy; and son Steven Knopp.

A Memorial Service for Samuel will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 21, at First United Methodist Church in Red Wing with Reverend Wayne Walther officiating. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, January, 20, at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and also one hour prior to the service at church on Wednesday. Memorials preferred to donor's choice.