Janet A. Knapp

Janet A. Knapp, 100, died Monday, June 2, 2025. Janet was born September 10, 1924 in Battle Creek to Sydney and Edith (Anderson) Harris. She graduated in 1942 from Battle Creek Central High School and attended Argubright Business College. She was employed by the Grand Trunk Western Railroad from April 1943 to November 1979, at which time she took a year’s leave of absence and retired thereafter. She retired from Secretary to Director of Labor Relations in Detroit, MI. She started out in the Superintendent's Office in Battle Creek and transferred to the Detroit offices in 1972.

Janet was a Charter Member of The Order of Rainbow Girls Chapter #23, Battle Creek. She volunteered at the Battle Creek Health System, now Bronson Battle Creek. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, where she served as an Elder, member of Ruth Circle, the Hospital Visitation team, member of XYZ Club and volunteered at the church office for several years.

Janet is survived by a stepdaughter, Debbie Beronja; a cousin, Ann Millican and close friends, Martin Ashley, Jeanne Hickman and Marty Shroll. She was preceded in death by her first and second husbands, Arthur Rapsher and Robert Knapp; a sister, Alice Harris and several cousins in England.

Funeral services to celebrate Janet’s life will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, June 5, 2025 at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, June 5, one hour prior to the service, starting at 12:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.