George Y. and Josephine S. ‘Jo’ Knepp

Former Brookings residents George Y. and Josephine S. “Jo” Knepp passed away within five days of each other in Kennewick, Wash. 

George passed away on June 17, 2011, from complications of pneumonia and Jo passed away of natural causes on June 22.

George was born Aug. 15, 1915, in Pocatello, Idaho, to George L. and Emily Y. Knepp. George grew up in Mackey, Idaho, and Salt Lake City. In 1933 he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps for two years. In September of 1937 he and Josephine were wed and enjoyed almost 74 years together. In August of 1938 their daughter Nancy was born; she was their only child.

George worked at various companies in Salt Lake City. In 1943 he went to Washington state to work as a fireman on the Manhattan Nuclear Project at the Hanford Site in Richland. He spent a year in the U.S. Navy and then returned to Richland. In 1958 he left the fire department, and went to work on the Hanford Site for Westinghouse Hanford as a senior technician until he retired in 1975.

Jo was born Oct 10, 1916, in Bingham, Utah, to Stanley G. and Georgana C. Struthers. 

She grew up mainly in the Salt Lake City area and worked at various positions. She did everything from working at Walgren’s soda fountain to the Norbest Turkey Farm. In 1942 Jo worked for the U.S. Department of War, checking ammunitions at Remington Arms. When George was able to get housing, she and Nancy moved to Richland, and lived in one of the first homes available to workers. She went to California while George served in the U.S. Navy. At the end of the war they returned to Richland. 

Jo went to work for General Electric Company (GE)  from 1946 to 1966, as a nuclear materials accountability clerk, and then into employee relations, and was one of the last GE employees to leave the Hanford Site. She managed an apartment complex for a couple of years until George retired in 1975.

George and Jo traveled in their trailer to every state in the U.S. and many areas of Canada for several years before settling in Brookings, where they lived for 30 some years. 

While in Brookings, George was active in the community and was always ready to lend a helping hand. He joined Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks in 1951 and became a lifetime member. He belonged to Brookings Elks Lodge #1934 and the American Legion. Jo was a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi, Laureate Sigma chapter. This year she was selected as her chapter’s Woman of the Year in recognition of her many years and contributions to the organization.

In April of this year George and Jo moved to Kennewick, Wash., to be with their daughter and her family.

They are survived by their daughter Nancy Crosby; grandson Allan Lusty (Mary); granddaughter Jomi Gross; granddaughter Lanorah Gray (Geoff); great-grandson Tim Gordon; great-great-granddaughter Lyla Gordon; great-great-grandson Tyler Gordon, all of Kennewick. Also surviving are Jo’s sisters Juanita Harvey of Casa Grande, Ariz., and Jerilyn O’Connor of Brookings. George and Jo also had numerous nieces and nephews that were very special to them.

George was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert Knepp; and sister Virginia Schultz. Jo was preceded in death by her parents; brother William Struthers; and sister Jeanne Skaalerud.

Per their wishes there will be no funeral; their ashes will be scattered at sea at a later date. 

Remembrances may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice or to Brookings Elks Lodge 1934 Scholarship fund, P.O. Box 5000, Brookings, OR 97415.

Submitted by the family.