Obituary of Virgil August Knipper

Survivors include his wife, Gladys, children: Kevin (Marie), Keith (Kate) and Karla Knipper, all of Dyersville, and Kurt (Katie) Knipper of Milwaukee, Wis., 6 grandchildren: Charles, William, Paul, Tim, and Erin Knipper, and Chris Leibold, a great granddaughter, Sydney Knipper, 1 brother, Paul (Delaine) Knipper of Dyersville, 3 sisters: Anita Wulfekuhle of Holy Cross, Iowa, Donna Manternach of Manchester, Iowa, and Gladys (Harold) Heyer of Merced, Calif., 2 sisters-in-law: Norma (Fred) Wessels and Dorothy Maiers, both of Dyersville. He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 sister, Nellie Steffen and 4 brothers-in-law: Richard Steffen, Gerald Manternach, Albin Wulfekuhle and Merlin "Dixie" Maiers. Virgil was born on November 12, 1929, in Petersburg, Iowa, the son of John and Melania (Bruggeman) Knipper. He served in the US Army from 1951 - 1953 in Korea. Virgil and Gladys Maiers were united in marriage on June 21, 1954, in Holy Cross, Iowa. He was employed with LA Light Construction for 20 years and then retired from the Dubuque County Highway Department in 1995. Virgil was a life member of American Legion Post 137 and the Edward W. Lake V.F.W Post 7736. He was involved with the Dyersville Commercial Club for many years. Some of his pastimes were volunteering in the park and with the parish as an usher. He enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs win. Memorials are preferred. Our family wishes to thank the staff at the Wendt Center, Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque and the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester for their compassion and excellent care during Virgil's illness. Friends may call from 2 - 8 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2009, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a parish scripture service will be held at 2 p.m. and an American Legion/V.F.W. service will be held at 7 p.m.