Robert Knebel

Robert Knebel, 75 of Luverne and formerly of Webster died on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M. Friday, June 19, 2015 at Christ The King Catholic Church in Webster. Fr. David Axtmann will celebrate the mass. Inurnment will be at St. Otto's Catholic Cemetery, Webster. Robert Knebel, Jr. was born on Saturday, April 27, 1940 to Robert and Verona (Schroeder) Knebel, Sr. at Peabody Memorial Hospital in Webster, South Dakota. The family lived on a farm in Nutley Township, Day County near Eden. He was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eden. He attended country school near his home and then graduated from Roslyn High School in 1958. After high school he attended a technical school in Thief River Falls, Minnesota and studied carpentry. He returned to Eden where he was employed as a carpenter. He was united in marriage to Diane Burns on June 23, 1962 at Webster. After their marriage the couple made their home in Webster where he was engaged in carpentry construction. Diane passed away in 1993. After her death he continued to live in Webster until 2001 when he moved to Rosemont, Minnesota. He married Mary Pile on May 28, 2004. They continued to live in Rosemont and then moved to New Prague for a short time. In 2010 he retired and they moved to Luverne where he has resided since. He was a member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Luverne. He was a member of Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed model railroading and making wooden toys, especially cars, trucks and tractors. He enjoyed spending time at his children’s activities when they were growing up and spending time with his grandchildren. Bob passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at his home in Luverne, Minnesota at the age of 75 years, 1 month and 17 days. Survivors include his wife, Mary of Luverne; one son, Jason (Stacey) Knebel of Wagner, SD; one daughter, Jessica (Chad) Furney of Andover, SD; a step-daughter, Stacie Fullerton of Auckland, New Zealand; his mother, Verona Knebel of Eden, SD; two brothers, Neil (Lorrie) Knebel of Watertown, SD and Don (Dawn) Knebel of Buda, TX; one sister, Lois Gowan of Watertown, SD; and five grandchildren, Caleb Furney, Madisyn, Gannon, TaeLyn and Grayson Knebel. He was preceded in death by his father, his first wife, Diane, his brother, Paul and two infant brothers.