Elizabeth “Betty” E Knippenberg

Elizabeth “Betty” Ellen (Eshleman) Knippenberg   87 of Lancaster, passed on Saturday, October 8, 2022, peacefully and surrounded by loved ones at the home of her eldest daughter and caretaker for the past 10 years.  Born July 3, 1935 in Landisville, PA to the late Marvin and Isabel Eshleman (Shelley) of Lancaster; Betty was the eldest daughter of four.  She attended East Lampeter Schools.  Upon her graduation in 1953, she married Harlan Eugene Knippenberg of Lancaster.  Together, they had 3 children, Deborah Elaine (Rose), Douglas Harlan, and Beth Anne (Lloyd).  Betty was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt.  She dedicated her life to raising her three children and supporting her husband as a stay-at-home mother and homemaker.  Additionally, she supported her husband’s many endeavors taking on payroll and bookkeeping for the family business, “The Donut Tree” for 20+ years.  Betty was raised in, and continued to participate in the Christian faith and touched many lives as a congregation member and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church of Lancaster and later at Clearfield United Methodist Church.  Betty enjoyed sharing a good meal with loved ones, spending time with her children and grandchildren, traveling the East Coast camping in a motorhome later in life, going for walks, sewing, her small dog companions, the music of Elvis and was a long-time member of the Red Hat Society.  Aside from raising her own children, Betty was a loving and active participant in the lives of all her grandchildren and enjoyed babysitting for family friends throughout her life.  Everyone whose lives she touched will miss her beautiful smile, caring nature and contagious laughter.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Harlan E Knippenberg, beloved son Douglas H Knippenberg, sisters Ann L Steffy and Christine E Beaner and granddaughter Olivia M Lloyd.  Betty is survived by her two daughters, Deborah E Knippenberg-Rose and partner Robert K Forsyth, Beth Anne Lloyd (Knippenberg) and stepson Shane Hake and wife Jane, sister Roberta S Weaver, granddaughter Danielle L Zug (Rose) and husband John Thomas Zug, II; granddaughter Ashlea E Sigmon (Knippenberg) and husband Jeremy S Sigmon; granddaughters Emma J and Isabelle A Lloyd; 8 great grandchildren, Gavin, Devin, Harlan, Graeme, Elijah, Avelynn, Kaidence and Estella and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 23 at 5:00 PM at DeBord Snyder Funeral Home, 141 E Orange Street, Lancaster; with a visitation at 4:00 PM.  Interment will be at the convenience of the family at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Hospice and Community Care, 685 Good Drive, Lancaster PA 17601 or to the charity of donor’s choice.