Hedy Knop

Hedy Reinartz Knop was born in Uerdingen on the Rhein, Krefeld, Germany on January 16, 1928. On February 14, 2025, Hedy passed from her earthly life peacefully at the age of 97 with her daughter by her side.

Hedy was christened Johanna Hedwig Grete Reinartz, and was the third of four children born to Peter Josef and Friederike (Strassmann) Reinartz. A devoted daughter and excellent pupil, she grew up in Germany during the turbulent times leading up to and through World War II. After the war ended, she had a chance encounter with Wolfgang Knop, a former schoolmate whom she had known since the first grade. The two began dating and eventually became engaged, and when Wolfgang's father moved his family to Brazil in 1951, Hedy left her family and joined him there. The couple were married, had their children in São Paulo, and lived there until 1966. Then, in search of a more secure future, the family moved to the United States and settled near Detroit, Michigan.

Hedy was a deeply devoted wife and mother who meticulously managed a loving home, held jobs in retail sales and the health field, and later took on her favorite role as nanny to a series of young children. To them, she will always be known as "Oma." She cherished those relationships deeply to her last day. Eventually, Hedy and Wolfgang moved to DuBois, Pennsylvania, to another new home, where they forged new friendships, where Hedy became a naturalized United States citizen and changed her name to Hedy Reinartz Knop.

In 2008, Hedy and Wolfgang decided to move again to be closer to their daughter and her husband in Texas. They loved exploring their new surroundings on road trips, and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2022. Meanwhile, Hedy's faith journey brought her to Zion Lutheran Church in Abilene, where she attended as long as she could. She lived her remarkable life with humility and a deeply grateful heart on three continents, spoke three languages, and made a loving home for her family in three states. She touched the lives and hearts of everyone she knew and will forever be remembered with love.

Hedy is preceded in death by her beloved husband of almost 71 years, Wolfgang Paul Rudolf Knop; by her parents, Peter and Friederike Reinartz; her brother, Alfred Reinartz, who was killed on the Russian front in 1944; and sisters Friederike Korne and Hildegard Kläckes. She is survived by her son, Michael Knop of Michigan; her daughter Cornelia Wright and son-in-law Joe of Abilene; grandchildren Dale Knop, Elisabeth Knop, and Melissa Knop of Michigan; numerous nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, and extended family in the United States, Brazil, and Germany.

A memorial service giving thanks for and honoring her long and eventful life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church, 2801 Antilley Rd., Abilene, with Pastor Clyde Kieschnick officiating. Interment of ashes will take place on a future date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to All God's Children Child Development Center, 2801 Antilley Road, Abilene, Texas, or to Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

The family wishes to extend its deepest appreciation to Home Instead and particularly to Florinda R., whose steadfast loving and compassionate care and companionship were an indispensable blessing.