Matilda "Catherine" (Ruch) Knapp

Matilda Catherine Knapp, 100, of Rossville, passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Mulberry Health and Retirement. She was born November 17, 1924, in Clinton County on the Ruch Family Farm to Otis and Edna (Troxel) Ruch. She married William Max Knapp, Sr., March 27, 1943. He preceded her in passing on December 14, 2019.

At the age of 5, she worked on the family farm with the horses until the family got their first tractor at the age of 11. Catherine was a graduate of Frankfort Senior High School, Class of 1941. She worked several places over her life including People’s Life Insurance Company, Dewey’s IGA, and Rossville Auction Exchange. But her most important career was being a homemaker and taking care of her home and family. Catherine was a member of Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church and Rossville Bridge Club. She loved playing cards, cooking, mowing the yard, and working in the garden. She enjoyed watching Rossville Sports, Purdue Sports, Cincinnati Reds Baseball, Colts Football, and the Pacers. She was a loving and nurturing woman who enjoyed caring for children and babies. She will be remembered for her positivity and her fierce love for her family.

She is survived by her children, William M. (Jane) Knapp, Jr., Bob (Bev) Knapp, Dick (Teresa) Knapp, Cathy (Joe) Deford, and Carol Knapp-Hill; a brother, Ed Ruch; grandchildren, Shali (Eric), Aaron (Melissa), Danielle (Bob), Neil (Jenny), Chad (Jannelle), Jessica (Ryan), Matthew (Casey), Sarah, Ryan (Kelsey), Adriene (Nathanael), Katie (John), and Michael (Kaitlin); 17 great grandchildren; and was so excited to have her first great-great grandchild expected early in 2026.

Along with her husband, Catherine was preceded in death by her son, Tom Knapp; and siblings, Mary Ruch Pletch and Margaret Ruch Manning.

A celebration of a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother will begin with visitation, Thursday, July 31, 2025, from 4-7pm and Friday, August 1, from 9:30am until the time of the Celebration of Life at 10:30am at Day & Genda Funeral Home ~ Bodine Chapel in Rossville. Pastor Donna Enersen will officiate with burial following at Rossville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church, the Rossville School Corporation, and the Rossville Cemetery Association. Messages of condolence may be left at www.dayandgenda.com.