Obit: Knippel, Irene E. (1931 - 2014)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Amacher, Bingham, Dahl, Garcia, Knippel, Larson, Meyer, Nelson, Taylor-Schaus, Weber

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 3/30/2014

Knippel, Irene E. (Nelson) (26 DEC 1931 - 29 MAR 2014)

Former Rockford, Ill., resident Irene E. Knippel, 82, Medford, died on Saturday, March 29 at Care Partners Assisted Living in Medford, where she had resided the past two years, and under the care of Hope Hospice.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 2 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Medford, with Rev. Kelly Taylor-Schaus and Rev. Nancy Amacher officiating. Interment will be at Medford Evergreen Cemetery II in Medford. Pallbearers are Gerald Knippel, Bruce and Duane Meyer, Tim and Brad Nelson and Bob Larson.

Visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday from 1 p.m. until the time of service.

Hemer Funeral Homes of Medford and Rib Lake assisted the family with arrangements.

The former Irene Nelson was born on December 26, 1931 in Ogema to the late Alvin R. and Marie L. (Dahl) Nelson. She was a graduate of Prentice High School, Taylor County Teachers College in Medford, and received her degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. After her education, she taught school in the Ogema area for a short time.

On June 26, 1965 in Ogema, she married Melvin J. Knippel, who preceded her in death on September 27, 1976. They moved to Rockford where she taught elementary education until her retirement.

She was a past member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Rockford and a current member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. She loved teaching and children. She also loved singing in the choir, traveling and organizations that helped children.

Survivors include two step-children, Gerald (Jenn) Knippel of Medford and Elizabeth Bingham of Watertown, S.D.; a sister, Marion Meyer of Holcombe; three step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Bruce (Karen) Meyer of Ogema, Duane (Jane) Meyer of Edgar, Marcia (Joey) Garcia of Springtown, Texas, Brad (significant other Linda Weber) Nelson of Ogema and Tim (Janelle) Nelson of Spirit; and other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a step-son, Charles Knippel, and a brother, Conrad Nelson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Irene's family to be designated to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Online condolences may be made at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.