Debra E. “Deb” Knapp, age 66 of Holdingford, passed away after a brief battle with cancer on Sunday, August 10, 2025 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 16 at All Saints – St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Holdingford with Rev. Gregory Mastey officiating. Inurnment will be held in Arban Cemetery in rural Avon.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church in Holdingford.
Debra Elizabeth Young was born April 16, 1959 in St. Cloud, Minnesota to LeRoy and Eileen (Bauer) Young. She married Daniel “Dan” Knapp on November 3, 1984 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Holdingford. They were blessed with daughter, Kelly, and son, Bradley, as well as 6 angel babies. Deb was a daycare provider for over 30 years where she mothered many more children in the Holdingford community. Deb loved being a “Mema” to her three grandchildren.
She was a member of All-Saints St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Holdingford, Christian Women, and the Holdingford American Legion Auxiliary. Deb loved road trips with Dan, spending time at their camper, and any time spent with family and friends; her laugh was infectious.
Survivors include her husband, Dan Knapp of Holdingford; children, Kelly (Aaron) Tschida of Avon and Bradley “Bubba” Knapp of Brainerd; three grandchildren, Tyler, Lauren, and Lucas Tschida; brothers and sisters, Diane Young of Holdingford, Doris (Allan) Pilarski of St. Augusta, Delroy, Duane, and Ed (Dani) Young, all of Holdingford; and many nieces, nephews, and daycare families.
Deb was preceded in death by her parents, LeRoy and Eileen Young; six angel babies; and sister, Donna Knapp on February 6, 2024.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services.