Frank Dean Knipfer, 09 Jun 1919 - 14 Mar 2017

KNIPFER, SWOPE, CRAWFORD, SCHWAB, KING, MURPHY, LACEY, BOLLWITT, CROFT, SCHAUFF, PIERCE

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 4/7/2017 at 14:23:04

Frank Dean Knipfer died Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City of pnuemonia at the age of 97 years, 9 months, and 14 days.

A gathering time with refreshments for family and friends will be held to celebrate Frankie's life at the North English Community Center on May 6, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. The Family invites you to come and share your memories.

A private graveside service will be held prior to the gathering.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the English Valley Nursing Care Center, PO Box 430, 150 West washington St, North English, IA, 52316, or the North English Community Center, 210 S Main St, North English, IA, 52316, in Frankie's memory.

Online condolences may be left for the family at Cedar Memorial/Iowa Cremation: www.iowa.cremation.com

Frank Dean Knipfer was born on a farm one mile east of North English on June 9, 1919 to Godfrey William and Rose Millicent “Millie” Swope Knipfer. He has lived all his life on that farm until May of 2014, when he went to the English Valley Care Center after series of strokes.

He graduated from North English High School in 1937. He was a farmer and a radio-television serviceman.

He married Dolores T. Crawford on March 26, 1943, in the Lutheran Parsonage in Papillion, NE. She was the daughter of Robert W. and Caroline Sophia “Lena” Schwab Crawford.

In 1964 he and Dolores opened a television & appliance sales and repair business in their home. Later, they moved to a store on Main St. in North English which they ran for several years. In later years he worked part-time at the North English Community Center.

Frank was active in Odd Fellows, HACAP, served on the telephone board, 4-H leader, and was a first responder with the Citizen Band Radio Club (CB’s).

He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, fishing, deer hunting, playing his guitar and working in his garden.

Frank is survived by 3 children, Mary Virginia (Warren) King, Worthington, OH; Carolyn Marie (Michael) Murphy, Iowa City; and William Dean Knipfer, North English; 7 grandchildren, Kevin King, Jennifer Lacey, Angela, Joseph and Ryan Murphy, Jeri Bollwitt, Billie Knipfer; and 3 great grandchildren, Elizabeth Croft, Alexander and Julia Bollwitt.

He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Dolores; his son, Kenneth of Cedar Rapids; his sisters, Laura Schauff of North English and Frances Pierce of Farragut; and his brother, Ernest of North English.

A gathering time for family and friends will be held to celebrate Frankie’s life at the North English Community Center, May 6, 12:30-2:30. We invite you to come and share your memories. A private graveside service will be held prior to the gathering.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the English Valley Nursing Care Center, PO Box 430, 150 West Washington St, North English, IA, 52316, or the North English Community Center, 210 S Main St, North English, IA, 52316, in Frank’s memory.

The family wishes to thank the English Valley Care Center, Mercy Hospital, Iowa City Hospice, and friends for their support and care.

The English Valleys Star, 05 Apr 2017