Hanna Marie Knapp (b. Hanna Marie Paula Ernst) of Cuero, Texas, age 93, passed away Sunday May 21, 2023.  She was born in 1930 in the city of Güstrow, in the state of Mecklenburg-Verpommern, Germany, to the late Anna and Friedrich Ernst. She attended the technical school of the Deutsche Reichsbahn from 1947 – 1949 and was employed as a civil servant with the Deutsche Reichsbahn, Schwerin Directorate until 1954 when she moved to Stuttgart, Germany, working as a civil employee of the U.S. Army.

It was here where she met her husband, Ronald Knapp; they wed there August 12, 1958, and were married for 41 years, until Ronald's death on August 24, 1999. Hanna is preceded in death by her parents, and sisters, Anna Marie and Elizabeth.  Hanna is survived by her sons, Hans-Ulrich and wife Rosi, Frank, Richard and wife Marianna Sviland; grandchildren Christiane and Sabine; great-grandchildren Anna, Willi, Lea, Ida, Mathilde; great-great grandchildren, Tilmann and Florian.

True to her German stock, she was a fiercely independent, strong, and a generous, spirited soul with a love of life.  She was a nurturing and supportive mother and wife who provided a loving home.  Hanna greatly enjoyed being outdoors working in her garden; she also was fond of cooking and baking, and a great lover of animals.   She was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Cuero.  Watching the Astros was a favorite activity, as was laughing and conversing with her circle of friends or even strangers when she was out.  Anyone who ever met her remarked what a unique, special, and sweet person she was; she definitely made an impression on whomever she met.  Thankfully, she kept her sharp mind to the end and was able to maintain her independence by living alone at home.

Our family wishes to extend a very special thanks to Linda Garcia and to Don (Bubba) Dixon for their assistance over the past couple of years in regularly helping out, even at a moment's notice - we are most grateful.  Please keep Hanna in your thoughts and prayers, but don't be sad, rather celebrate her long fulfilled life and her journey to the next one – she would have wanted it that way.

Funeral services will be at St. Mark's Lutheran church on Friday, May 26 at 12:00 PM.  You may sign the online guest book or send condolences at www.freundfuneralhome.com.