Margarete Knapp

Margarete Knapp, 86, died at 11:33 p.m. Sunday, June 25, 2017, at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas. She was born on March 13, 1931, in Bauschlott, Germany to Karl and Frida Elsasser, the fifth of eight children. After graduation from high school, Margarete completed a culinary apprenticeship in Pforzheim where she learned recipes and techniques that she would pass on to her children and grandchildren. She married the love of her life, Emil Leicht, and they bought and operated a successful dry-cleaning business in Pforzheim while raising their two children, Joachim and Margaret. The family immigrated to New Jersey on March 20, 1962, where they quickly set down roots. In 1969, Emil and Margarete retired to Umatilla, Florida.Margarete was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who worked hard to pass on family traditions that her children and grandchildren continue to honor. She cooked delicious homemade meals and desserts for family and friends. She was especially proud of her Christmas cookies, which she spent weeks baking to satisfy everyone’s appetite. Margarete was also talented at knitting quality sweaters and sewing beautiful clothing for her family. After her children were grown, she took art and piano lessons and enjoyed ceramics and oil and china painting. She also walked each evening for exercise and loved nature, spending family time at New Smyrna or Daytona Beach, Lake Dorr, or Alexander Springs. Margarete volunteered countless hours as a Pink Lady at Waterman Memorial Hospital and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Eustis where she was especially active in the sewing ministry.Margarete is survived by her son, Joachim Leicht and wife, Irene of Houston; daughter, Margaret Leicht, M.D. and husband, Michel Oliva, M.D. of Lubbock; seven grandchildren, Elizabeth Leicht and husband, Matthew Foytlin, of Houston; Katie Leicht, D.O. of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Philip Leicht of Austin; Michael Oliva of Lubbock; Marcus Oliva of Lubbock; Margeaux Oliva of New Your City; Miles Oliva of Baltimore, MD; and her three great-grandchildren, Emma, William and Samuel Foytlin of Houston. Margarete is also survived by her sister, Irene Bohnenberger of Grunbach, Germany; brother, Adolf Elsasser of Ulm, Germany; and brother, Gunter Elsasser, of Bauschlott, Germany.Margarete lovingly cared for her husband, Emil, in their home after he suffered a severe stroke in 1981 until his death in 1984. On October 11, 1999, she married Col. George Knapp of Winter Springs, Florida. Together they enjoyed traveling with Tauck tours and cruising all over the world. She especially enjoyed dancing, playing Rummikub, and socializing with other travelers. Colonel Knapp passed away on May 21, 2016.Margarete was also preceded in death by her sister, Elfriede Ellinger, and her brothers, Karl Elsasser, Herman Elsasser, and Werner Elsasser all of who lived in Germany.Margarete moved to Lubbock, Texas in 2011, after her health declined to live with her daughter, Margaret and her family. She became a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where she continued her sewing ministry by decorating Christmas stockings for U.S. soldiers abroad. She also enjoyed attending Lubbock Symphony Orchestra concerts, playing solitaire, going on walks, going out to dinner, and being surrounded by family. Margarete touched many lives and her beautiful smile and giving heart will always be remembered.