Andrea Knopp

On September 3rd, 2020, Andrea Ruth Billings Knopp passed away quietly and peacefully, at home, surrounded by her family and closest friend, Leslie. Andrea is survived by her husband, Benjamin Paul Knopp, their children Zane Fred and Quinn Golden, her mother, EiLeen Broadhead Billings, her siblings, Michael (Laura), Shane (Jaina), Teresa Hobbs (Justin), and Matthew (Jolie), her inlaws Paul Knopp (Renee), Laure Simpson (Dale), Chris, Beth, and Adam Knopp, as well as 12 nieces and 6 nephews who knew her as the best aunt in the entire world. Andrea was preceded in death by her father, Fred Billings.

Andrea was born May 16th, 1972 in American Fork, Utah. She was the third of five children and the first daughter to Fred and EiLeen Broadhead Billings. When Andrea was 6 years old, her family moved to Riverton, Utah. While growing up in Riverton, Andrea attended school at Southland Elementary, Oquirrh Hills Middle School and Bingham High School. After graduating high school in 1990, Andrea left Riverton and moved to Logan, Utah where she attended college at Utah State University.

While living in Logan, Andrea earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts. During this time, Andrea developed several life-long relationships and spent much quality time with her older brother Mike, who was also attending Utah State University. The most important relationship that Andrea developed during this time, however, was with her future husband, Ben.

Andrea met the love of her life, Ben, when he walked into the gas station she was working at in Logan, Utah. Ben pulled up in his beat-up old truck sporting Alaskan license plates. That started the conversation that would last a lifetime. Ben was so intrigued by Andrea and concerned about her safety while working alone at night (possibly an excuse he made in order to stay close to her), that he stayed and talked with her in the gas station night after night. One of Ben’s fondest memories of that time was Andrea coming to help him milk the cows on the dairy where he was working. After milking she helped make the not so fun task of cleaning the manure from the barn memorable by instigating water fights with Ben. Andrea and Ben were married on June 10th 2000 in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Andrea and Ben made their home in Pleasant Grove, Utah, building next door to her parents on the property once owned by her Grandpa Broadhead. They built a beautiful three-bedroom home in the hopes of someday filling it with a family. In September 2007, Andrea’s long hoped for dream of becoming a mother came true when she and Ben welcomed their son, Zane into the world. Imagine the joy when 11 months later, in August 2008, her family was complete with the birth of their beautiful daughter, Quinn. Nothing brought more joy into her life than her children.

After graduating from college in 1998, Andrea started working at Utah Health Care Association (UHCA) where she worked several fulfilling years. In 2000 Andrea changed careers and began working for Utah Transit Authority (UTA) where she continued working full time until just days before her death. While working at UTA, Andrea proved to be one of the most creative and dedicated employees. The following are just a few of her creative endeavors during her 20-year career at UTA. She helped design two of the Frontrunner Stations. She was instrumental in the Public Relations and Marketing Campaign for the new Utah Valley Express Bus Line (UVX). She also volunteered every day during the 2002 Winter Olympics helping to transport people to the venues. Here, as everywhere in life, she created some of her closest friendships. There are so many who count themselves among this group that there are too many to name. She was well known for her antics and epic lunch hours with these many friends. Whether working at the cookie factory during high school, at UHCA, or at UTA, throughout her entire career Andrea worked side by side with her mother, EiLeen, who cherished the opportunity to be with her every day.

Andrea had a passion for photography. She was an accomplished professional photographer. This talent gave her the opportunity to travel all over the country with her best friend, Leslie, doing something they both loved.

Andrea was a Volkswagen enthusiast. This obsession began at 16 when her parents purchased her a blue, 1972 Volkswagen Beetle, just to make her smile. This love never wavered and was particularly directed towards Bugs. Andrea has been the proud owner of 10 Volkswagen Beetles, both convertible and hardtop models ranging in years from a 1954 project Beetle to her 2017 New Beetle. One of Andrea’s favorite activities was to cruise down the highway or through the canyon, with her husband Ben and her kids, in an old Volkswagen Bug.

Andrea was always up for an adventure. The Knopp family spent their free time living life to its fullest. They enjoyed a wide range of adventures from snowmobiling into cabins in the winter to jumping in Current Creek in the summer. They enjoyed traveling to Alaska and Washington to visit family. Recently, it was jumping in the RV with mom for impromptu drives to Colorado and camping trips and picnics. Andrea was always up for a party and never missed an opportunity to go ax throwing.

Wherever Andrea worked, lived, or played, she drew people to her with her kind, loving, witty, and joyful personality. Andrea was an exemplary mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. Every role she took on in life was lived with enthusiasm and love. She put her heart and soul into every aspect of her existence. We are all blessed by just having been in her presence. The stories of her life are filled with laughter, love, and positive memories. We know as she passed from this life to the next, she was welcomed by the loving arms of her father. We take peace in knowing they are reunited and waiting patiently for when we will all be reunited as a family.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Huntsman Cancer Institute for their dedicated service. We would also like to thank Jeff, her home health aid, for his compassionate care. You truly provide the most valuable service for people who really need it. Most of all, there can never be enough love and thanks expressed to her best friend, Leslie Fiet, who spent countless weeks caring for Andrea, her home, and her family. Words are not enough to express our appreciation.

A celebration of Andrea’s life will be held on Wednesday, September 9th, 2020 at 11 am at the Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary 495 South State Street Orem, Utah. Interment will follow at the Heber City Cemetery at 1:30 pm.