Timelines

Bernie Knapp

• November 14, 1929

  Birth

  Bernie was born in Goshen, Idaho. The youngest of 9 children (2 died in infancy) born to Justin Willis Knapp & Mabel Fidelia Hale.

• 1930

  Childhood

  The family moved often as Justin Willis sought work during the Great Depression. "We were the poorest of the poor," Bernie recounted.

• 1932

  Goshen, ID

  The family moved back to Goshen, Idaho.

• 1935

  Bernie Sick

  5yr old Bernie got really sick during the school year and had to quit school until the next year.

• 1936

  Rexburg, ID

  With no work to be found in Goshen, the family moved to Rexburg, Idaho. Bernie's sister Marj married Barney South. Justin Willis went to Island Park to work the sawmill with Barney.

• June 2, 1937

  Island Park & Idaho Falls

  Knapp family moves to Island Park to run the sawmill for the summer. Lived in cabins. In Fall, Justin & Mabel went to rent a house in Idaho Falls, couldn't find any and bought an empty lot at 347 Cleveland St.

• 1938

  Baptized

  Justin Willis and Barney build house on lot in Idaho Falls. Bernie is baptized into the LDS Church.

• 1942

  Ordained Deacon

  Bernie was ordained a Deacon in the LDS Church (Idaho Falls 5th ward) by father Justin Willis Knapp.

• 1943–53

  South's Sawmill

  Between 1943 and 1953, Bernie worked for Barney South at the sawmill in Island Park.

• November 19, 1944

  Ordained Teacher

  Bernie was ordained a Teacher in the LDS Church (Idaho Falls 5th ward) by father Justin Willis Knapp.

• November 24, 1946

  Ordained Priest

  Bernie was ordained a Priest in the LDS Church (Idaho Falls 5th ward) by father Justin Willis Knapp.

• May 11, 1948

  Graduated High School

  Bernie Graduated from the Idaho Falls High School.

• 1948-53

  Ricks College

  Bernie graduated with a Bachelor's in General Agriculture, and a minor in Animal Husbandry.

• February 27, 1949

  Ordained Elder

  Bernie was ordained an Elder in the LDS Church (Idaho Falls 9th ward) by father Justin Willis Knapp.

• 1953-55

  Army Service

  Bernie was drafted in July of 1953 during the Korean War. He completed Basic Training at Fort Ord, California and was stationed in Friedberg, Germany with the 29th Field Artillery Battalion. He was able to travel across much of Europe and the Middle East during his leaves. Bernie was realeased in May, 1955 at Fort Carson, Colorado.

• 1955

  USU

  Bernie attended Utah State University in Logan, with the intent of getting his teaching certificate in Zoology. He received his mission call and left before finishing. Barney Died in February. Bernie continued to help Marj run and operate the sawmill when he wasn't at school.

• 1958–60

  Missionary Service

  Bernie served a mission for the LDS Church in the Southern Far East mission. He was assigned to the Taiwan Zone. He was called to serve 36 mos, but the church changed general service to 30 mos. Bernie got permission to stay an extra 3 mos. He served March 58 – November 60.

• 1961–62

  BYU

  After his mission, Bernie returned to help at the sawmill until it was sold in July of 1961. He started school at BYU Provo, where he completed his teaching certificate, majoring in Zoology with minors in Botany and Driver's Ed.

• 1962

  Driver's Ed

  Bernie had planned to teach school in Shelley, ID, but one of his BYU professors recommended him to teach Driver's Ed at Utah Technical College (now UVU). He interviewed and was hired for the job at UTC. Bernie taught Driver's Ed there from 1962–1988 when he retired.

• July 22, 1965

  Wedding

  Bernie Married Louise Andrus in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple for time and all eternity. (See the combined Bernie and Louise timeline for more info about events from their married life)

• February 24, 1980

  Ordained High Priest

  Bernie was ordained a High Priest in the LDS Church (Jameston Ward, Shelley, ID) by Justin A Knapp.

• 1988

  Retirement

  Bernie officially retired from teaching Driver's Ed at Utah Technical College (now UVU), but continued to teach Driver's Ed there part-time for a few more years.

• Service

  After his retirement, Bernie spent the remainder of his life raising children, grandchildren, and serving his neighbors and family. He was well known for delivering the paper to the widows and elderly in his neighborhood, buying groceries for those in need, and other acts of kindness and service.

• Church Service

  Bernie served faithfully in many various callings in the LDS Church. Most notably, he diligently locked the LDS church building located at 1289 E, 300 S, in Provo, UT every night for countless years. Best estimates say he did this for over 20 years. He also regularly donated to the LDS Mission fund, and helped his children and grandchildren financially with their missionary service.

• May 29, 2015

  Death

  Having suffered declining health for a few months, Bernie passed away peacefully on May 29th, while surrounded by family. He was 85 years old.

• July 2, 2015

  Funeral Service

  Due to conflicting family schedules, Bernie's funeral was delayed so that his children could attend. He is buried in the Marion Cemetery in Marion, Utah.