Marcella Maria Kniep

Marcella Maria Kniep, 94, of Byron, Nebraska was embraced by her Heavenly Father on March 1, 2022 at Parkview Haven in Deshler, NE.  She was born May 23, 1927 on the family farm near Byron to Henry and Edna Peters.  She was baptized at St. Johns Lutheran Church on June 6, 1927 and confirmed at the same church May 24, 1942 by Pastor L. C. Lenz.  Growing up, she helped on the family farm from hand picking corn to canning a variety of vegetables, meats, and fruits.  She attended school until the eighth grade at St. Johns Lutheran Church.  She was united in marriage October 5, 1947 to the love of her life LaVern A. Kniep by Pastor K. J. Graf.  They made their home northwest of Byron where they raised their children, Paul and Margie.  Along with the daily life of being a farm wife, she developed an outstanding talent of creating cakes for all occasions.  She was nothing short of being an outstanding artist.  She became known as the Cake Lady Of Byron.  Aside from baking cakes, she also made many quilts for family friends and church relief projects.  She was very dedicated to her church.  She was an organist for services and choir and taught Sunday school for many years.  When time would allow, LaVern and her enjoyed vacationing throughout the country.  Everyone that knew her appreciated her gentleness and her sweet laugh.

She was preceded in death by her husband, LaVern; parents, Henry and Edna Peters; brothers, Ludwig and Myron Peters; brothers-in-law, Ralph Wenske, Wilbur Kniep, Rev. Loren Kniep; and sister-in-law, Norma Peters.

She is survived by her two children, Paul Kniep and his wife Korena of North Platte, NE, and Margie Nichols of Lincoln, NE;  four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, Amber Plaster of North Platte, NE, and her children Eden, Violet, and Rigby; Ashley Aloi and husband Ben of North Platte, NE, and their children, Riley, Kaitlyn and Jace; Austin and wife Amber of North Platte, NE, and their children Alayna, Lyly and Paizley; and Connor Nichols of Lincoln, NE; three step grandchildren:  Amanda Brouillette and husband Matt and their children Koltan and Tenley of Maxwell, NE; Nicole Barnum and Special Friend Curtis Green of North Platte, NE; Heidi Barnum and her children Kenzee and Klayton Reitz of North Platte, NE; one brother Gordon Peters and wife Joan of Surprise, AZ; sisters-in-law Leora Kniep of Hebron, NE, Luetta Wenske of Byron, NE, Margaret Anne of Imperial, NE, and Fairy Peters of Byron, NE; and a host of cousins, nephews and nieces.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 10:30 a.m., at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Byron, NE, with Irvin Schleufer PMA officiating. Pallbearers are Austin Kniep, Ben Aloi, David Wenske, Doug Kniep, Ken Kniep, and Alan Wenske.  Interment at St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery.   Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 15 ^th , from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ahrendts Funeral Home in Deshler.   Memorials are directed to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.   Ahrendts Funeral Home of Deshler is assisting the family with arrangements.   www.priceurbauerahrendts.com.