Donald Levi Knigge

Donald Levi Knigge, 78, of Davenport, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at the Blue Valley Lutheran Nursing Home. He was born on Feb. 15, 1936 at Alexandria, NE to David Levi and Pauline Louise (Komrs) Knigge. He was baptized and confirmed Feb. 1, 1947. He was a member of the Belvidere Congregational Church of Christ.

Don attended Rural School District #30 north of Alexandria to the 3 ^rd grade when they transferred to the Alexandria Pubic School. He attended there until he graduated in 1954 in a class of 18. After working for the summer, Don attended Fairbury Junior College for a year to be a coach. Due to a football injury, he was unable to continue. While in college, Don worked several part time jobs as well as belonged to the National Guards.

On Sep. 5, 1958, he married Wilma K. Culp from Belvidere, NE. They started their married life in Strang, NE where he picked up cream and eggs for Messman Produce. After a short move to Beatrice, they moved near the Bruning Airbase to work for Earl Hawkes. They spent a short time in Colorado as well as Belvidere and Deshler, NE before moving to Alexandria where Don worked for the elevator and they owned D&W Café. In 1970 they moved to Eustis, NE where Don went to work for Bellamy Elevator. In 1976 Don married Alice (Richard) DeHaven. In Dec. 1977, they moved to Spalding, NE. They lived in Erickson, Endicott, rural Hebron, and Alexandria. Jobs included elevators, farms, well drilling and the Endicott Clay Products. He spent many years working for Williams Well Drilling. Upon retirement, Don moved to Edmond, KS. He helped do odd jobs around the farm as well as in the Village. In 2011, he moved to Hebron, and subsequently to Davenport in 2013.

Don absolutely loved reading and watching westerns. He enjoyed any and all sports, especially football and was most proud to be a Nebraska fan. He was a member of the Alexandria and Eustis Fire departments and was part of the EMT in Alexandria when they got their first ambulance. He was involved in the Boy Scout program and was a leader for several years. He also loved to drive around and share his memories of the area. You could learn a lot of facts about towns that are no longer there, who used to live where, what they did and how they lived. He especially loved to recall his time spent working with the well drilling and pivots. He was proud of family as you could tell when visiting his home and seeing his display of pictures. He was a great cook especially his fried potatoes and goulash. He loved to tinker with things and was always working on little projects.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brother, Leland; sister, Kathleen; brother- in-laws, Roy Morgan, Howard Bulin, Lynn Hudson and Bill Disney; infant son Donald Lee; two grandchildren, Derek Bradley Knigge and Baby Boy Knigge.

Survivors include his sons, Michael (friend Kim) of Omaha, Donovan (Barbara) of Davenport, John (Gayle) of Deshler, Lance (Lorie) of Verdigree; daughters, Sharon (J.R.) Houser of Eustis, Kelly (friend Julie) Tobias, Lisa (David) O’Driscoll of Yonkers, NY, step-son, Carlton (Julia) DeHaven of Spring Buro, OH, step-daughter, Carlena Molina of Crete; 17 Grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, 5 step grandchildren and 10 great step grandchildren; brother, Wayne (Lois) of Fairbury; sisters, Betty Bulin of Alexandria, Darlene Hudson of Arvada, CO, Wanda Lee (Charles) McMillan of Omaha, Pauline Disney of Alexandria, Wilma (Gary) Luther of Grand Island, Margie(Jim) Durflinger of Alexandria and Cheri (Rodney) Domeier of Sutton; one sister-in-law Pat Knigge of Alexandria; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m., Wenesday, April 16, 2014 at the Belvidere Community Center with Pastor Eldon and MaryBeth Nicholson and Jeff Friesen officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 15 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Price Funeral Home in Hebron, NE with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Burial will be at the Alexandria Public Cemetery following the service. Memorials may be made to the family to be designated at a later date. Music provided by Linda Dudgeon on the piano, and Don’s grandchildren singing. Pallbearers: Devin Knigge, T.J. Lyions, Andrew Houser, Kevin Guthrie, Daniel Knigge, Cody Richard, Kirk Richard, Kyle Richard. Honorary pallbearers: Aaron & Dylan O’Driscoll. Condolences may be sent to Price Funeral Home, or left at www.priceurbauerahrendts.com . Price Funeral Home of Hebron, NE was in charge of the arrangements.