Our Staff

Lowell was raised on a dairy farm in northeast Washington. He graduated from Moses Lake High School and came to La Grande in 1981. He served his apprenticeship at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. In 1982 he married Carol Proffitt in La Grande. He then attended Mt. Hood Community College and earned his degree in funeral science. They returned to La Grande and Daniels Chapel of the Valley in 1984. Lowell is the father of two boys, Lance and Justin and is involved with many local organizations and activities. He enjoys golf, fishing and spending time with his family.

Carol was raised and educated in La Grande, graduating from La Grande High School in 1978. In 1981 she graduated from Eastern Oregon University. She has been involved with the funeral business all her life and during her high school years she worked for her father at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. In 1982 she married Lowell Knopp and after Lowell got his funeral service degree they returned to La Grande and Daniels Chapel of the Valley. She served her apprenticeship and successfully passed the State Board exam to become a Licensed Funeral Service Practitioner. She is the mother of two boys, Lance Knopp, who lives in Texas and is a manager in the automotive industry, and Gunny Sgt. Justin Knopp, United States Marine Corps, who has been a Harrier mechanic, classroom instructor and recruiter. Carol was involved with various organizations and activities, including MarineParents.com and Marine Families of Eastern Oregon. She enjoys writing short novels, cooking and reading and their two dogs.

Dale was born and raised in La Grande. His father was a railroader brakeman. He worked for funeral homes in Salem and Pendleton before purchasing Daniels Chapel of the Valley in 1967. He raised three children here and has five grandsons. He is currently working occassionally and is helping to raise a grandson in Colton, Oregon.

Sally Brownton Wiens grew up in La Grande and was the daughter of Judge Wes and Gerta Brownton. She also worked as a lay minister for the North Powder and Haines Methodist Churches and is chaplain for Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center. She is involved with many community activities and organizations. She is married to Michael Wiens, a retired fire prevention officer for the La Grande Fire Department. She enjoys horses and dogs, swimming and people.