Delores Knipstein

Delores Evelyn Lorenz Knipstein, 89, passed peacefully from this earthly life in her home on August 19, 2025. The second child and oldest daughter of Ervin and Elsie Johanna Pankonien Lorenz, Delores was born April 4, 1936 and raised in the Gay Hill community of Washington County, being baptized, confirmed and wed in St. Peter's Lutheran Church. At the young age of 17, she gave her hand in marriage to a handsome Army recruit, Willie Knipstein Jr., also a Washington County native. She joked, "Willie knew he had better marry me before he headed to bootcamp or someone else would while he was gone." The young couple married September 12, 1953 and headed off to California to start their life together and Willie's stint in the Army. Upon returning home to Texas, Willie sought a business opportunity in Houston, where they resided for the remainder of their lives, as Momma and Daddy to Darrell Wayne and Ronald Doyle, and as Granny and PePaw to Sabrina, Heather, Rachael, Ronnie, Justin and Ryan. They were faithful members of St. John's United Church of Christ, where their children and some grandchildren were baptized and confirmed. Just shy of forty years of marriage, Delores was widowed in 1992.

Known for her vivacity and zeal for celebration, her most loved pastime, which remained a constant through her whole life, was country dance. Dancing was a tie that bound Delores and Willie to their closest friends, friends who were like family to all the Knipstein children and grandchildren. Their six grandchildren recount the joy of dancing to the um-pa-pa beat and sleeping under tables of community dance halls as they got to be part of this rich tradition.

As a steadfast wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend and neighbor, she saw that every belly was full, every cradle and grave had flowers, every event had cake and every birthday had a card in the mail! The gifts and talents God gave her she used to bless others, in everyday life, volunteer service and in her career as a florist, baker and caterer. Being a lover of celebrations, her greatest delights were big feasts and throwing grand parties with as many friends as she could gather, which she did, large and in charge, with her feisty sass, to see that a good time was had!

To know Delores was to be the recipient of her cookies and jelly or pies and candy. Ne'er did she come to a home or event without containers full of goodies and never was she appeased until every man, woman and child had ample sweets. She wholeheartedly believed sugar to be good for the body and soul!

Not only could she file away what treat of hers you liked best, but also your birthday and anniversary, and other dates you may not even remember. And, a card was in the mail, without fail, for every life event of loved ones, up to the very last week of her life. Her desire to show love and tangible care for people defined her life and service to her community. Devoted to her and Willie's home community, she prioritized making goods for the Gay Hill - Mound Hill - Cedar Hill and Berlin Volunteer Fire Departments auctions and other charities close to her heart. In Houston, the fire fighters of Station #4 haven't missed a month without warm meals and sweets.

Joyfully, she poured her love out through quilting. For decades she has warmed friends, family and nonprofits with her handmade quilts. Just this year, Granny finally completed one of her life goals of making a quilt for each grandchild, great-grandchild, great-great-grandchild and family member whom she or Willie were sponsor to.

She was abundantly blessed in life with extensive family and friends and is survived by son and daughter-in-law Darrell and Jerri Knipstein; grandchildren Sabrina Harden, Heather Hamilton and husband Matthew, and Justin Hogsett; great-grandchildren Shaina Basham and husband Nathan, Alec Harden and wife Julia, Abby, Austin, Dean, Monty, Dwight, Lorraine and Bonnie Hamilton and great-great-grandchildren Ryan Harden and Brooks Basham. And by daughter-in-law, Ranell Knipstein Dacus; grandchildren Rachael Goeke and husband Jeffory, Ronald Knipstein, Jr. and Ryan Knipstein and wife Colbie; great-grandchildren, Ethen and Kynlee Knipstein, Kasyn and Lillian Goeke, Kiptyn, Kaleb and Rylee Knipstein. In addition, her two sisters and brothers-in-law, Doris and Newton Williams and Walline and James Grimm, sister-in-law Rita Knipstein and a great number of nieces, nephews and an extended family of friends whom she considered just as dear.

She is preceded in death by her husband Willie, son Ronald, brother and sister-in-law Milton Lorenz and Ruth Lorenz Beckerman, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Otto and Ella Mae Knipstein Koerth, brother-in-law James Knipstein and nephew Mark Knipstein.

May your hands be full of flowers, your belly full of cake, your feet full of polka beat and your heart full of the love of our Savior Jesus Christ as you remember Delores' life.

Visitation: Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham on Friday, August 29, 2025, at 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Funeral Service: St. John's UCC, 4606 Mangum Rd., Houston on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 1:00 pm followed by graveside at 4:00 PM at St. Peter's Cemetery (Gay Hill), with a fellowship meal to follow.

Serving as pallbearers are representatives of each of her grandchildren's families: grandsons Ronald Knipstein, Jr., Justin Hogsett, Ryan Knipstein and great-grandsons Alec Harden, Kasyn Goeke and Dean Hamilton.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to aforementioned volunteer fire departments or the St. Peter's Cemetery Fund.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapels located at 1306 West Main Street Brenham, Texas. To post a tribute to the family, please visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.