Donald E. Knebel

Norfolk — Donald Ernest Knebel, 95, of Norfolk died Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024 at the Norfolk Veterans Home in Norfolk.

Visitation was held Friday, Jan. 26, 2024 at the Home for Funerals Chapel in Norfolk.

Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 26, 2024 at the funeral chapel in Norfolk. Rev. Gordon Braun officiated.

Burial was in the Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Norfolk with military honors provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1644, American Legion Post 16 and Army National Guard Honor Guard.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Donald was born in Norfolk on Sept. 26, 1928, to Ernest and Elna (Sasse) Knebel. He grew up on the family farm south of Norfolk, attended District 37 rural school and graduated from Norfolk Senior High School in 1946.

  Don attended the University of Nebraska and graduated in 1950 with a bachelor of science degree in agriculture. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, Alpha Zeta, Block and Bridle Club, Tri-K and UNL Ag Executive Board. He also played trombone in the UNL ROTC Marching Band.

  After graduation, Don entered the United States Army and spent most of his tour at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, AK as a food inspection technician.

  Don married JoAnn Donaldson on March 7, 1954, in Lincoln. To this union two daughters were born Kathleen and Nancy. The family lived and farmed south of Norfolk for 10 years. His specialties were purebred Hampshire hogs and a DeKalb Seed Dealership.

  In 1965, Don joined the DeKalb Seed Company as a sales representative and district sales manager. The family moved to Hastings and in 1975 relocated to O'Neill where he retired in 1986, having been involved in sales and service for 31 years with DeKalb. He received many DeKalb awards and special sales recognitions.

  Don enjoyed the outdoors. During his early years, he was an avid hunter and fisherman. In later years, he spent his leisure time fishing and hunting with his grandson Josh and friends. He also enjoyed raising garden produce. Last but not least, Don was an antique and collectible pursuer, attending auction sales and shows. He was an avid follower of the Nebraska Huskers.

  Don is survived by his two daughters Kathleen Knebel and Nancy (Kent) Monk, all of Omaha; three grandchildren Joshua, Abby and Beth; five great-grandchildren Tyler, Colin, Ellie, Jack and Elizabeth; one brother-in-law Edward Taddicken of Hastings; and numerous nieces and nephews.

  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife JoAnn, one great-granddaughter Emma Jo Olsen, one brother William Knebel, sister-in-law Patty Knebel, brother-in-law James Donaldson and sister-in-law Wilma Taddicken.