VERSAILLES, Ohio – Celebration brings family together and so does tragedy. Elements of both made the seventh annual Steve Knapke Memorial Blood Drive Sept. 18 at the Versailles Knights of Columbus Hall an enduring tribute and a Knapke family reunion.
Steve Knapke survived a car crash in 1988 caused by an impaired truck driver. He emerged from a comma unable to speak, but eventually regained his voice and stamina. He became a dedicated blood and platelet donor and had made 81 lifetime donations before another accident in 2016, again caused by an impaired driver, took his life, and seriously injured Lois.
Lois and her children began co-sponsoring the blood drive with the Versailles Poultry Days Committee in 2017. Tuesday’s blood drive totaled 98 whole blood donors and 14 platelet and plasma donors. In seven years, the blood drive has totaled 1,076 donors.
Steve Knapke came from a Versailles family of 11. Four of his sisters gathered around their brother Joe Knapake as he made his first successful blood donation in Steve’s honor after previous deferrals for high blood pressure.
“I was worried it would be too high again,” said Joe. “After his first accident, it was a cause he picked up. He donated a lot of blood. I knew it was something he did. This a great tribute to his legacy.”
Lois, a retired nurse, became Steve’s caretaker after the first accident. She recalled coaxing his first words and celebrating as he recovered his speech. “I used to talk all the time and never let him get a word in,” she said. “I prayed so hard, it was Easter Sunday, and the Lord provided.”
Lois decorated a welcome table with photos of Steve and their grandson’s plastic fishing pole with a sign that said, “We are Fishing for Blood.”
Her catch included Steve’s sisters Irene Stonebreaker, Kathy Re, Rosie Subler, and Judy Owen. Judy, like Steve, became a platelet donor, inspired by their father’s battle with leukemia.
“Between my dad and Steve, I’m glad to do it,” said Judy. “I am always shocked by how much they need.”
Lois bakes cookies for the blood drive and the Poultry Committee provides meat trays and volunteers. “We’re still breaking records, we served 37,000 chicken halves last year,” said Jordan Luthman, who chair the 2026 Versailles Poultry Days.
“Obviously my goal is to sell 37,000 halves, plus one,” said Vince Serraino who will be the 2024 chair. “It’s more than that. We here to serve the community so we give that money back to the community.”
Featured photo (provided): Joe Knapke with Lois Knapke, Irene Stonebreaker, Kathy Re, Rosie Subler, Judy Owen.
