Janet Lance Knappen

Janet Marie Lance Knappen, 57, of Moline, died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008, at Trinity Regional Health Systems, West Campus, Rock Island.

A celebration of life will begin at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline. A gathering will be from 2:30 p.m. until service time. Committal services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at Greenview Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, East Moline. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to endabuse.org.

The beloved daughter of Marion and Barbara Lance, Janet Marie was born April 10, 1950, in Moline. She graduated from Moline Senior High School in 1968.

She went to Jacksonville, N.C., where she met Michael Knappen. Mike was in the U.S. Navy, so after their Quad-Cities wedding in 1969, they moved to Boston, Mass. They had two children while traveling around the country, living the itinerant Navy life. Their first child, Joshua, died at birth. Their second child, Seth, was born in 1976 in Oakland, Calif. Janet and Michael were divorced in 1979, after which Janet and Seth returned to the Quad-Cities area, where they continued to reside. Although Seth remained her only child, whom she loved dearly, she had the attitude of loving and devoted mother for her many friends, colleagues and loved ones.

She received a bachelor's degree with high honors from Augustana College before entering the field of Domestic Abuse and Violence Prevention. A passionate supporter of peace and non-violence, Janet worked with many social programs over the years in both Iowa and Illinois. At the time of her death, she worked for the Illinois Department of Human Services, where she coordinated partner abuse offender treatment programs throughout the state. Although it was a difficult task, often requiring her to work under intense and dangerous conditions, she loved her work and was an inspiration to many within the field. Through her work, she promoted programs of tolerance, peace and understanding that touched many lives throughout the nation. Her work leaves a lasting legacy of love and care that reflects the genuinely warm person that she was and the good that she inspired in others.

A free-spirit with a joyous and generous outlook on life, she loved music and was a musician and songwriter for many years. In addition, her keen insights and graceful demeanor were a priceless asset to friends and family. Her love of life, generous sense of humor and commitment to making the world a better place guided her throughout her life's endeavors. Her strong will and kind heart reflected a commitment to helping and empowering those in need, whether family, friend or stranger.

Survivors include her father, Marion Lance, Moline; her brother and sister-in-law, David and Bridgett Lance, Moline; sister and brother-in-law, Sheri and Bob Matthews, Denton, Texas; her son, Seth Knappen and his special friend, Anne Brown, East Moline; her special friend, Dean Cady, Moline; her ex-husband, Michael; nieces, Tiffany and Megan; and nephews, Joe and Davey. She was preceded in death by her son, Joshua; her mother, Barbara; sister, Vicki Miller; and her dear friend, Carmen Frantz.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com.



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Obituary from QC Online