Donald Kneip

Donald Lloyd Kneip was born on February 10, 1934 to Irvin Alfred and Ruth Elizabeth (Carlson) Kneip in Oak Park, Illinois.  In 1939, he moved with his parents to Villa Park, Illinois and began attending school there.  When he was 14 years old, his family moved to Colton, South Dakota, and one year later to Jasper, Minnesota.  While living in Jasper, Don continued his education.  After his graduation from Jasper High School, he attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  On August 29, 1954, he was united in marriage to Gwendolyn Larson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jasper.  Following their marriage, they lived in Sioux Falls.  In 1955, they returned to Jasper where Don worked for his father-in-law at Larson Ford Sales.  Then, in 1960, they moved back to Sioux Falls and Don was employed by Billion Motors.  In 1962, he began working for Madsen Mercury in Sioux Falls.  He became employed by Continental Baking Company (Wonder Bread) in 1963 and continued to work there until 1972 when they returned to Jasper.  While living in Jasper, Don owned and operated Kneip Auto Repair and Sales.  During this time, he also owned and operated Kneip Bus Company from 1985 to 1992.  He sold his repair business to his son Jim in 1985 and retired from Kneip Sales in 1996.

Don was baptized on June 17, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois, and he was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on March 21, 1948 in Villa Park, Illinois.  He served on the Jasper City Council, Jasper School Board, and was a member of the Historical Society and the Jasper Senior Citizens.  He enjoyed woodworking and antique auto restoration.

He is lovingly remembered by his four children, Steve (Dede) Kneip of Omaha, NE, Jim (Debbie) Kneip of Luverne, MN, Barb (Kurt) Facile of Sioux Falls, SD, and Brenda (Dale) Bostic of Edgerton, MN; 10 grandchildren, Brittany (Adam) Hoebelheinrich, Michaela (Raufeon) Stots, Jenna (Adam) LaRose, Ashley (John) Gellhaus, Amber (Zac) Bootsma, Alec Bostic, Cameron (Tiffany) Facile, Devinne (Kody) Mertens, Danielle Kneip (Tannin), Nicole Kneip (Quinn); 12 great-grandchildren Teagan, Bentley, Blaze, Bennett, Remington, Kooper, Blythe, Sterling, Crosby, Clarence, Ikechukwu, and Orley.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Gwendolyn; daughter, Susan Kay Kneip; granddaughter, Aja Pelster; his parents; and sister, Virginia Berdahl.