George John Kniep Jr., age 79, died early on October 17, 2024 at Thayer County Hospital in Hebron, Nebraska.
George was born on Nov. 17, 1944, in Deshler, Nebraska, to George and Anna (Loontjer) Kniep. He was baptized on Dec. 3, 1944, and confirmed on March 22, 1959, both at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Ruskin, Nebraska. George attended school in Ruskin, graduating from Ruskin High School in 1963. He attended and graduated from a trade school in Omaha, Nebraska.
George married Kathleen Rippe on March 9, 1969, at Grace Lutheran Church in Hebron. They were blessed with four children; Tracy, Tammy, Troy and Terry.
George was a farmer around the Ruskin area until he retired. He was an active member of St. Mark Lutheran Church where he held many offices. George was an avid gardener, producing a variety of fruits and vegetables which he shared with friends and family. He liked to travel to the mountains with his children and grandchildren. George liked time with his grandchildren and attending their activities.
George was preceded in death by his parents; sister in-law, Frances Kniep; son in-law, Michael Fritz; and granddaughter, Kaitlen Riley. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen of the home; children, Tracy (Mark) Stauss of Grand Island, Nebraska, Tammy (Joe) Patterson of Hebron, Troy Kniep of Ruskin, and Terry Riley of Concordia, Kansas; grandchildren Jared Stauss, James Stauss, Joanna Stauss, Julia Stauss, Sophia Fritz, Savannah Patterson and Autumn Cress; step-granddaughter, Kallie (John) Wigget; great-granddaughter, Josie Cress; step-great-grandson, Hunter Adsit; sisters, Janet Kniep of Lincoln Nebraska, and Joyce (Richard) Baines of Sulphur Springs, Texas; brother, James Kniep of Lincoln Nebraska; and many other family and friends.
His funeral service will be held today (Oct. 24, 2024) at 11 a.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Ruskin with interment following at Spring Creek Cemetery, Ruskin. Visitation was at Kroll-Massey Funeral Home in Deshler from 2 to 7 p.m. with family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorials are directed in care of the funeral home for the family to designate at a later date.
Kroll-Massey Funeral Home in Deshler is in charge of arrangements for George J. Kniep Jr. Online condolences may be left at kroll-masseyfh.com.
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