Barbara Jane Knapple

Barbara Jane Knapple, 98, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Holdrege Memorial Homes in Holdrege.

Barbara was born on March 3, 1927, in Lexington, Nebraska, the third child of Stella Amanda (Shaw) Morgan and Joseph W. Morgan. Older brothers were Roland (Bill) Morgan who was killed in World War II and Merle S. Morgan who died in 2003, in Lexington, Nebraska.

She was baptized in and later joined the First Presbyterian Church of Lexington in 1957 and sang in the youth and senior choirs. She transferred her membership to the Buffalo Grove Presbyterian Church where she directed the choir for 41 years, served as the President of the Presbyterian Women, served in Circle offices and became an active Elder in 1975.

She graduated from Lexington High School in 1945 and attended Hastings College for two and a half years. In 1947, she married Neil Knapple of Lexington and in 1955, they moved to the Knapple family farm to raise their three children, John Neil, Jane Marie, and JoAn Louise.

Coming from a musical family, Barbara loved music. She studied piano from her aunt Laura Carson, playing at her first recital at the age of three. She studied voice and piano at Hastings College and used her musical talents in church, choruses, small groups, weddings, and funerals. She especially enjoyed singing the contralto solos in the production of Handel's Messiah with many local choruses including the Kearney College Chorus in 1961. She occasionally would substitute as organist the Buffalo Grove Church. She joined the Lexington Musicale in 1953, serving in all offices. She served on the Community Concert Board, Business and Professional Women, Insurance Women of Mid-Nebraska, the Dawson County Historical Board, the Steering Committee for the Lexington Grand Generation Center, and became a member of PEO Chapter HV in 1970. She sang with the Lexington Community Choir for four years.

She enjoyed being with her family, skiing, horse races, conventions, tours, education classes, Teammates, playing cards and fitness activities.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Bill and Merle Morgan, her parents, Joe and Stella Morgan, one son-in-law, Dennis Olson, her husband Neil Knapple, and daughter, JoAn Ostergard.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, John and Pamela Knapple, daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Leonard Mooney; son-in-law, Steve Ostergard; one grandson, Shannon Pearson, one great grandson, Cameron Pearson, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at the Buffalo Grove Presbyterian Church in rural Lexington, with Reverend Eddie Mariel, officiating.

A private family burial will take place prior to the service at Buffalo Grove Cemetery in rural Lexington.

Memorials are kindly suggested to the Buffalo Grove Presbyterian Church.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com