Roi “Gene” Eugene Knapp, 80, of Bemidji, MN, died Friday, August 3, 2012 at Autumn Hills Assisted Living Facility.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am, Monday, August 6, 2012 at the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji with Rev. Eric Hucke officiating. A visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be 3:00 pm, Tuesday, August 7, 2012, at the Moses Dane Cemetery in Burtrum, MN under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji.

He was born on April 13, 1932, in Burtrum, MN, the son of Jason “Jack” and Florence (Clark) Knapp. He attended school in Grey Eagle, MN, where he excelled in basketball. After graduating high school he attended St. John’s University. He married Theresa Ann Benson on February 8, 1954, together they had 10 children. He worked for the Minnesota State Forestry for 35 years. He enjoyed the outdoors, deer hunting, fishing, blueberry picking, walks in the woods, and picnics with family. He was a musician and could play the accordion and the harmonica. He was an artist who enjoyed sketching nature scenes and animals. He enjoyed spending time with and sharing stories with his family.

He is survived by his: Children, Michael (Dara) Finnegan, Kathy (Kevin) Krause, Corey (Lisa) Knapp, Tim (Lorie) Knapp, Linda Knapp, Laura (Dean) Tschudi, Gina (Tom) Bergh, Pat (Teresa) Knapp, Kelly Knapp, 23 Grandchildren, and 9 Great-Grandchildren, Mother of his children, Theresa Forsyth. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Colleen Marie, infant twin brothers, brother Howard Dale, and sister Katherine Louise Stevens.

Messages of condolence may be left at ceasefuneralhome.com.