Kevin Frederick Knapple

Kevin Frederick Knapple, 72, of Papillion, Nebraska, passed away peacefully at home on June 1, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Kevin was born on April 15, 1954 (Tax Day, the sinking of the Titanic, and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln), in Lexington, Nebraska, to Glenn F and Paula (Minnick) Knapple. He graduated from Lexington High School in 1972 and went on to attend Kearney State College. It was there that he met the love of his life, Mary Anne Simmons. They were united in marriage on August 12, 1975, at the First United Methodist Church in Lexington, and their union was blessed with three children. Kevin graduated from Kearney State with a Bachelor of Science in Geography and a minor in Political Science. Passionate about public service, he was later elected as one of just 25 Nebraska delegates to the 1980 Republican National Convention in Detroit, Michigan, where he pledged his support to Ronald Reagan. Kevin was also a Master Mason and a proud member of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. After working on the family farm, he started his crop insurance career with American Agrisurance and moved his family to Papillion, Nebraska. In 2020, Kevin retired from a fulfilling career training and instructing new generations of crop insurance agents.

Kevin possessed a lifelong love for history and geography. He loved nothing more than packing up the family for road trips to his favorite place, Colorado. In true Kevin Knapple style, the family hit the road long before the sun rose; instead, they would watch the neon lights of Denny's rise for an early morning pit stop. With his trusty Rand McNally map ready to unfold, Kevin turned every trip into an adventure. To keep everyone awake on those early morning drives across Nebraska, he would quiz his children on elevations, state capitals, and presidential history.

Above all else, Kevin's family was his greatest joy. Nothing brought a bigger smile to his face than sharing the stories and accomplishments of his children and grandchildren, whom he affectionately referred to as his "baby butcher hogs."

Kevin's legacy lives on through his children: Jennifer (John) Kuhn of Spring Hill, Kansas; Nicholas (Peggy) Knapple of Olathe, Kansas; and Lindsay (David) Henson of Papillion, Nebraska; and his beloved grandchildren: Lucy, Lily, and Sadie Kuhn; Lincoln Knapple; and Bess and Maggie Henson. He is also survived by his wife Mary Anne Knapple; brother, Fred (Jerri) Knapple of Juniata, Nebraska; his sister, Becky (Mike) Holcomb of Johnson Lake, Nebraska; as well as many dear nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Kevin was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn F and Paula Knapple; his father- and mother-in-law, Niles and Joan Simmons; and his infant twin siblings, Samuel and Sarah Knapple.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Papillion, Nebraska, with Pastor Rebecca officiating. Memorials are kindly suggested to the Team Jack Foundation.