On March 12, 2022, Katharine L. Bowman-Knapp, 88 of Myerstown, PA passed away peacefully after a short illness. Katharine was known as “Kitty” or “Kitty Lou” to family and friends, and to her beloved grandchildren and friends of her children/grandchildren, she was lovingly called “Nana.”
Kitty was born in Lebanon, PA, one of eleven children of the late Amelia (Speicher) and Clarence Klepper. She graduated in 1953 from Lebanon High School and was a former member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Annville, PA. Kitty retired from Herco, where she spent 25 years as Wardrobe Manager for Hershey Park, a job she loved and at which she excelled.
In addition to her parents, Kitty was predeceased by her sisters, Helen May, Ruth Marian, Floretta, Sandra Kay, Diana Faye; and brother, Clarence, Jr.; as well as her husbands, John Walter “Woody” Bowman in 1986 and Richard “Dick” Knapp in 2007. Woody, her high school sweetheart, was the love of Kitty’s life, and during their marriage, they were inseparable, going through life hand in hand.
Kitty is survived by her children, Cindy Bowman-Condor and her husband, Gil of Lewes, DE, Michael Bowman of Thailand and Kathy Ricard of Wilmington, DE; her grandchildren, Alicia Storch (Mike), Nicole James (Marc), Caitlin Wren (David), Christopher Bowman-Condor, Sara Bowman and Cyrus Bowman; great grandchildren, Michael Storch (Sammi), and Rachel Storch Gaul (Mike); great great grandsons, Giovanni and Otto; a great granddaughter on the way; as well as her sisters, Mary Sue Colona (Tom), Linda Lee Felty, Shirley Ann Boltz and Rose Marie Brandt and many nieces and nephews.
Kitty had a heart of gold and an infectious laugh. She would help anyone in need, whether it was family, friend or stranger. She prayed for everyone who needed it. She was spunky, generous, opinionated, patriotic and loved to talk about her life growing up on a farm with so many siblings. She was always up on current events, loved to discuss politics, kept in touch with many family members and acquaintances through Facebook and was an avid reader, especially crime dramas. Invariably, an audiobook would be playing as she went about her housework. Anyone who met and spent time with her, loved her. She will be dearly missed.
Kitty’s chicken pot pie with pickled red beets was legendary, and a family gathering wasn’t a family gathering unless we had one of her chocolate cream pies (with sprinkles to match the holiday) for dessert. She was always there if we needed her, and she gave great advice. According to her granddaughter, Nicole, her two best pieces of wisdom were: 1) if you’re going to do a job, do it right even if it’s just taking out the trash. Because it might not be your business, but it’s someone’s livelihood; and 2) if someone older than you gives advice, always listen to what they have to say. You don’t have to take the advice, but you should respect them enough to listen.
Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Jubilee Ministries, 235 S 12th St, Lebanon, PA 17042.
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Published by Legacy on Mar. 16, 2022.
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