Otis E. Knabe

Otis Eugene Knabe, 73, went to be with his Lord & Savior, Saturday, December 14, 2024. He was born November 17, 1951 to Paul and Izora Knabe in Emporia, Kansas.

Otis served honorably in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear power machinist mate. Later he graduated from WSU with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, preparing him for one day owning his own accounting / tax firm.

Otis was a world class jokester who loved having a good time and making others laugh. He loved God, his family, and the countless kids he had coached throughout the years. He received many coaching honors and enjoyed watching his kids play in college.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Izora Knabe, and his sister, Paula Knabe.

Otis is survived by his wife of 49 years, Cathy Knabe; children Kevin (Stephanie Kotas) Knabe, Toni (Andrew) Drinkard, Amanda (Jacob) Hadley, and Jesse Knabe; grandchildren Olivia, Cora, and Lucy Kotas-Knabe, Nora, Haven, and Griffin Drinkard, and Grant and Bonnie Hadley; siblings Sherril Mapes and Leon (Jan) Knabe; and numerous other relatives & friends.

Visitation: Friday, December 20, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm at Smith Family Mortuary 1415 North Rock Road Derby, Kansas 67037. Funeral Service: 1:00 pm, Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Lincoln Baptist Church 7801 E. Lincoln Wichita, KS 67207. Interment to follow at El Paso Cemetery, Derby, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lincoln Baptist Church, 7801 E. Lincoln, Wichita, KS 67207.

The funeral service will be streamed live via Lincoln Baptist Church Facebook page, Watch Here