Obituary of Larry Knipper

DYERSVILLE, IOWA Larry E. Knipper, 81, of Dyersville died Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, at home surrounded by his family. Friends may call from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a Knights of Columbus and Catholic Order of Foresters Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m., an American Legion service will be held at 7:00 p.m. and a parish vigil will be held at 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wed., Dec. 4, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Dan Knipper will be the celebrant and Rev. Dennis Quint will concelebrate. Military Honors will be accorded by American Legion Post 137. Larry was born Dec. 20, 1931, near Earlville, Iowa the son of Andrew and Theresa (Bruggeman) Knipper. He served in the Army from 1952 - 1954. Upon his honorable discharge, he started working for Paul Ament Construction building many homes in Dyersville. He married Katie Hosch on September 5, 1959, in Cascade. Together, they operated a dairy and hog farm in North Fork Township until retiring to Dyersville. Larry was active in 4-H, from his youth to organizing and leading the North Fork Wildcats 4-H club. Larry was named Delaware County Distinguished Dairyman in 1973 and State of Iowa Distinguished Dairyman in 1982. He was a Delaware County Soil & Water District Conservation Commissioner from 1974-1996. Larry served on many boards and committees of the St. Francis Xavier Parish. Surviving are his wife, Katie, his children: David (Vicki) of Marion, John (Deb) of Clear Lake, Michele (David) Kucharczyk of Onalaska, WI and Jude (Stacy) of Omaha, NE; a daughter-in-law, Shirley (Mark) Singsank of Dyersville; 11 grandchildren; siblings: Gerald Knipper of Dyersville, Norma Cassidy of Bettendorf, Anna (Bernie) Manternach of Monticello and Rev. Dan Knipper of Decorah; brothers-and-sisters-in-law: Harold Hosch of Cascade, Rose Koopmann of Delhi, Lois Hosch of New Vienna, Millie Hosch and Julie Hosch, both of Cascade He was preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law, Peter and Katherine Hosch, a son, Peter, in 1991, a brother, Norman and 2 infant twin brothers; brothers-and sisters-in-law, Donna Knipper, John Cassidy, George Hosch, Irene Hosch, Edwin Hosch, Margaret (Don) Koopmann, Mary (Leroy) Trumm, John Koopmann and John Hosch. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Milhem MBBS, Wendee Beranek RN OCN, the staff at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, and Hospice of Dubuque for their compassionate care and support.