Ollie Mae Knipp

Ollie Mae Knipp, age 88 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., died Thursday, December 1, 2016, at the Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, Mo. Ollie Mae was born May 31, 1928 in Springfield, Mo., the daughter of Carl W. and Elsie (Walker) Murray. She was married on May 30, 1959 in Lancaster, Mo. to E.J. "Gene" Knipp, who preceded her in death on June 4, 1980. She was a 1945 graduate of Willard High School in Willard, Mo. A resident of the Jefferson City area for most of her life, Ollie Mae was employed with the Missouri Attorney General's Office and the Missouri Department of Employment Security. Ollie Mae and Gene owned and operated Knipp Motors Cadillac-Oldsmobile-Toyota until 1975. They had extensive real estate holdings beginning with the new Cole County Fairgrounds and also developed tracts of land along Missouri Blvd. with commercial, residential, and office properties in central Missouri and St. Louis. After Gene's death in 1980, Ollie Mae continued the developments as she had initially encouraged such acquisitions. After the deaths of Gene and partner, Winston Cook, she continued the daunting task of maintaining over 200 acres of potential commercial acreage along Missouri Blvd. and Wildwood Dr. which eventually became one of Jefferson City's most progressive developments. The process began with a large apartment complex, Jefferson City's first condominiums and residential developments. It was an amazing task for a woman with no formal training in such and gained the respect of professionals and business people as large commercial developments were constructed and was a crowning achievement for her. These developments enhanced the western edge of Jefferson City along Missouri Blvd. to Edgewood Drive and Truman Blvd. In addition, a group of commercial and office properties were acquired in Jefferson City and Columbia. Outside the business interests, Ollie Mae enjoyed a lifelong love of horses culminating in the construction of High Spirits Farm in Ashland, Missouri. She and her daughter, Anna Marie, owned numerous American Saddlebred horses, Hackney ponies and Morgan horse winning well over 30 world and national titles across the country including the Horse of the Year honors. In 2016, three world championships were won by High Spirits Farms. Ollie Mae contributed much to Jefferson City, often privately, but was instrumental in many progressive developments benefiting the community. Survivors include: one daughter, Anna Marie Knipp of Ashland, Mo.; several nieces and nephews; and two cousins, Frank M. O'Kelley of Indio, Calif. and Edward O'Kelley of Dallas, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gene; and three brothers, Jerald Murray, William "Billy" Murray, and Max Murray, all of Springfield, Mo.. Private graveside service and interment were conducted at Riverview Cemetery in Jefferson City, Mo. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Riverview Cemetery, 2600 West Main St., Jefferson City, MO 65109; the Boone Hospital Foundation Supportive Care Program, 1600 East Broadway St., Columbia, MO 65201; the Ashland Y.M.C.A., 101 West Broadway, Ashland, MO 65010; or any animal supportive care organizations of the donor's choice. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com