Joan West Knapp, a long-time Lassen County resident, passed away at home December 29, 2025, in Smith Valley, Nevada. Joanie was born March 31, 1948, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, the youngest of eight children of George and Marie West.
The family lived in Irwin, PA. Joanie is survived by husband Warren; her brother Leo of Pittsburgh, PA; sisters Marion Willey and Susie Mcnally of California; 18 nieces and nephews; 23 great nieces and nephews; and 11 great-great nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents George and Marie West, sister Gene, and brothers Don, Jim, and George.
In 1960 the West family moved to Milford, CA where they operated Patway Village, a restaurant and gas station along Highway 395. Joanie graduated from Lassen High School in 1966. She worked in Oceanside for a short while before returning home to Lassen County. Joanie worked for Smith Chevrolet in Susanville for several years prior to starting a career at Sierra Army Depot. At Herlong for over 31 years, Joanie retired in 2010 as a supervisory budget analyst and NAF Support Services Chief.
Family was very important to Joanie; this she learned from her parents. All were welcome and all counted. She made sure to include Christmas presents for the younger nieces and nephews and remembered birthdays. Celebrations were planned with her sister Susie and sister-in-law Kathy for anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays. And weddings. Joanie was there when brother George married Nancy Roberts in 1966; when brother Jim married Kathy Muller in 1967; and when sister Gene married Don Neff in 1973, Joan married Warren Knapp on May 27, 1988. They built a life together in Standish. Joanie and Warren moved to Smith, Nevada in 2017. Fortunes changed and they were looking for a difference in life. They purchased a home in Smith and enjoyed furnishing and decorating it.
Even after the move to Smith Valley, Joanie always tried to spend time with her sisters, often meeting for lunch. Joanie and Susie talked or texted every day and she checked in with Marion at least weekly and usually every day, too.
Joanie will be greatly missed, but we know she is looking down from heaven, along with her parents, her sister and her brothers, and watching out for us.
A Celebration of Life will be held on March 28, 2026, at 11:00 at the Milford Community Center in Milford.
