Roy Thomas Knafla (84) of Bella Vista, passed away at his home on September 13, 2023. He was born on October 9, 1938, in St. Paul, Minnesota to Walter and Virginia Knafla. He graduated from Monroe High School in 1956 and began working at 3M. Later that year he enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in Shreveport, LA where he was a range instructor. He married Linda Bartlett in June 1959, and they had three children.

After his discharge from the Air Force in 1960, he returned to work at 3M in Maplewood, MN. He married Connie Rossetti in June 1979. He worked at 3M for 45 years and did research chemistry in agricultural products and new drug discovery for pharmaceuticals. He holds a patent for his work. He and Connie retired and moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas in 2001.

Roy was a very avid fisherman and loved the outdoors. He also liked to hunt, camp, target shoot and play golf. For many years he was involved with Capable Partners in St. Paul, an organization where the able bodied took physically challenged people fishing and hunting. He drove the Bella Vista Courtesy Van for 10 years and enjoyed the many interesting people he met. He had fun playing golf with the Jelly Bellies and bias bowling. He and Connie enjoyed traveling in the U.S. and abroad. He would often comment that he would like to fish around the world.

He was a member of Bella Vista Lutheran Church where he was a Stephen Minister, was on the Stewardship committee, and went on two mission trips to Vietnam. He felt it was his mission to give out Grace & Mercy coins.

Roy had a great sense of humor and loved to make people laugh. Even though he dealt with multiple health issues and dementia in his last years, he always had a positive attitude and said God is in control.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Joseph Knafla.

He leaves behind his best friend and wife of 44 years, Connie; a son, Roy Knalfa (Deb) from Chanhassen, MN; a daughter, Donna Hansen (Robert) from Palmyra, NY; a daughter, Tina Knafla from Spring Lake Park, MN; four grandsons, two great granddaughters and two brothers.

A memorial service will be held at Bella Vista Lutheran Church, 1990 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, AR 72715 on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Mission Central, 40718 Highway E-16, Mapleton, IA 51034 or Capable Partners, P.O. Box 27664, Golden Valley, MN 55427.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory.  On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.