Norman J Kneip
December 2, 1938 — September 28, 2018
Norman J. Kneip, 79, of Knoxville, Iowa passed away on Friday, September 28, 2018 at Mercy Medical Center of complications from heart surgery.
Norm was born on December 2, 1938 in Le Mars, Iowa, the son of Peter and Alvina (Plendl) Kneip. He graduated from Gehlen Catholic High School with the class of 1957.
On November 26, 1960, Norm and Carole Bohlke were united in marriage at Saint Catherine’s Catholic Church in Oyens, Iowa. To this union three children were born; Kim, Dave and Paul. Norm worked for John Deere and Gehl in Le Mars until 1966 when he and Carole moved to Knoxville, Iowa where Norm continued to work for Gehl as a traveling salesman calling on implement dealers in central Iowa. He later worked for Vermeer in Pella, Iowa as a Quality Assurance Manager until his retirement.
Norm enjoyed spending time with his children, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren and was very close with his high school classmates over the years, including his loving friend, Carol Ann. He was a founding member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Knoxville, Iowa and served on the Parish Council. Some of his favorite activities included woodworking, gardening, making salsa, traveling, watching college sports, and appreciating and owning old cars.
Norm was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Carole. He will be lovingly remembered by his special friend, Carol Ann Murray; daughter Kim (Jeff) Gethmann of Marshalltown, Iowa and their children Ben (Amy) Lenger, Katie Lenger, Blake (Marjorie) Gethmann, Brody Gethmann and Brooke Gethmann, son Dave (Julie) Kneip of Waverly, Iowa and their children Jessica (Chris) Hamilton, Joe (Sherry) and John, son Paul (Lora) Kneip of Corpus Christi, Texas and their children Bryce and Sara, and Norm’s 6 great grandchildren, one brother Kenneth (Sally) Kneip of Le Mars, Iowa, sisters-in-law Janice Kneip, Connie Kneip, Norrine (Dick) Kellen of Le Mars, Iowa and Ann (Chuck) Sitzmann of Rogers, Arkansas as well as many nieces and nephews.
Norm is welcomed into Heaven with open arms by his wife Carole, parents, brothers Roddy and Gary, sister Marlene Harpenau, brother-in-law LeRoy Harpenau, and niece Linda Kneip.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Norm Kneip, age 79 of Knoxville, will be held on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church. A Rosary will be recited at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at St Anthony Catholic Church and the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Knoxville Public Library, the American Heart Association or to St. Anthony Catholic Church for Masses.
Norm was born on December 2, 1938 in Le Mars, Iowa, the son of Peter and Alvina (Plendl) Kneip. He graduated from Gehlen Catholic High School with the class of 1957.
On November 26, 1960, Norm and Carole Bohlke were united in marriage at Saint Catherine’s Catholic Church in Oyens, Iowa. To this union three children were born; Kim, Dave and Paul. Norm worked for John Deere and Gehl in Le Mars until 1966 when he and Carole moved to Knoxville, Iowa where Norm continued to work for Gehl as a traveling salesman calling on implement dealers in central Iowa. He later worked for Vermeer in Pella, Iowa as a Quality Assurance Manager until his retirement.
Norm enjoyed spending time with his children, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren and was very close with his high school classmates over the years, including his loving friend, Carol Ann. He was a founding member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Knoxville, Iowa and served on the Parish Council. Some of his favorite activities included woodworking, gardening, making salsa, traveling, watching college sports, and appreciating and owning old cars.
Norm was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Carole. He will be lovingly remembered by his special friend, Carol Ann Murray; daughter Kim (Jeff) Gethmann of Marshalltown, Iowa and their children Ben (Amy) Lenger, Katie Lenger, Blake (Marjorie) Gethmann, Brody Gethmann and Brooke Gethmann, son Dave (Julie) Kneip of Waverly, Iowa and their children Jessica (Chris) Hamilton, Joe (Sherry) and John, son Paul (Lora) Kneip of Corpus Christi, Texas and their children Bryce and Sara, and Norm’s 6 great grandchildren, one brother Kenneth (Sally) Kneip of Le Mars, Iowa, sisters-in-law Janice Kneip, Connie Kneip, Norrine (Dick) Kellen of Le Mars, Iowa and Ann (Chuck) Sitzmann of Rogers, Arkansas as well as many nieces and nephews.
Norm is welcomed into Heaven with open arms by his wife Carole, parents, brothers Roddy and Gary, sister Marlene Harpenau, brother-in-law LeRoy Harpenau, and niece Linda Kneip.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Norm Kneip, age 79 of Knoxville, will be held on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church. A Rosary will be recited at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at St Anthony Catholic Church and the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Knoxville Public Library, the American Heart Association or to St. Anthony Catholic Church for Masses.
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