Robert P. Knips

ROBERT PAUL KNIPS was born on December 24,1928 to Robert E. and Viola (Didier) Knips on the family farm near Lismore, Minnesota. He was baptized at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Lismore, Minnesota and was later confirmed there also. He attended St. Anthony’s High School and graduated in 1946. After graduation Bob began farming northeast of Lismore. On April 15, 1952 he married to Virginia Thier at St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian, Minnesota. The couple settled on a farm near Lismore, Minnesota where they raised their eight children and worked the land, raised and fed cattle. Bob farmed his entire life but didn’t feel it was “work” per say because it was what he loved doing. The couple moved from the farm in 1991, and have resided in Luverne, Minnesota ever since.

On Saturday, December 20, 2014 Bob died peacefully at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage at the age of 85 years, 11 months and 27 days.

Bob was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. He enjoyed watching and reading westerns and the actual history behind the stories. He was an avid reader and lived by a few of his favorite mottos; “Don’t look back and dwell on things, but gain something from the experience” and “Don’t back up any further than you need to, you might hit somebody or something…” Bob enjoyed traveling with Jean over the years and spending time with his family.

Bob will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 62 years Virginia “Jean” of Luverne, Minnesota; and his eight children, Dave and his wife Brenda of Luverne, Minnesota, Steve and his wife Barb of Lismore, Minnesota, Kathy and her husband Michael Foerster of Winona, Minnesota, Kevin and his wife Cindy and Connie and her husband Jerry Lonneman all of Adrian, Minnesota, Dale and his wife Jan of Lakefield, Minnesota, Diane and her husband Ralph Kershner, Jr. of Walterboro, South Carolina, and Mark and his wife Lynette of Magnolia, Minnesota; 25 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Betty Franci of Victorville, California and Bonnie Ruppert of Johnsville, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Viola Knips and a brother, Earl Knips.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage, St. Catherine Parish in Luverne, or St. Adrian Parish in Adrian.