Obituary - Laurel (Stevenson, Preuninger) Knapp

Laurel (Stevenson, Preuninger) Knapp passed away August 7, 2019.

She was born in Havre, Montana, in 1927 to Madge (Sailor) and Ben Stevenson. She had a half-brother, Floyd Hamilton, and a brother, Terry Stevenson.

She is survived by her brother, Terry (MaryAnn) Stevenson, daughter, Janet (John) Ryan; daughter-in-law, Carrie (Scott) Preuninger; stepsons, Earl (Vonnie) and Allen (Susan) Knapp, six grandsons, two granddaughters, and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Madge Stevenson; first husband, Leonard Preuninger; son, Scott Preuninger, and husband, Richard Knapp.

Laurel graduated from Havre High in 1945 and attended MSU-Northern (Northern Montana College). In 1946, Leonard Preuninger got out of the Navy, and came home to marry Laurel. They lived in Havre; Missoula; California; Seoul, Korea, and Yokohama, Japan. Scott and Janet were both born in Billings, Montana.

Laurel's interests, besides being an avid reader, were playing piano, bridge, knitting, and counted cross-stitch. She sang in numerous choral groups during her school years and played the organ for St. Mark's Episcopal Church when in high school. She worked in offices mainly as a bookkeeper for the U.M. in Missoula, Trott Printing in Billings MT; 8th Army Engineers in Korea; Koefod Insurance Co., Havre, MT, and the U.S. Air Force in Havre, MT. While in Japan, Laurel taught Conversational English to students at Yokohama National University.

Leonard passed away in 1971. In 1974, while working at the A.F. Base north of Havre, she met a charming widower, Richard Knapp. They married in 1974 and had 40 wonderful years together. Laurel moved to Hampton, Va., in 2015 to be closer to her daughter, Janet, and her family.

Special thanks to Personal Touch Hospice for their supportive and loving care. Donations can be made to Hospice House of Williamsburg 4445 Powhatan Parkway, Williamsburg, Va.

Memorial Service will be at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre, MT, August 20th at 11 a.m. Burial will be private.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services.

Please visit Laurel's online memorial page at http://www.hollandbonine.com to leave her family a message of condolence.