Joseph Gerald Knipper

DYERSVILLE, IOWA

Joseph G. “Jerry” Knipper, 89, of Dyersville, passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Friends may visit from 2:00-5:00pm on Sunday, December 29th and from 9:30-10:30am Monday, December 30th at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am Monday, December 30, 2024, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Dan Knipper will officiate and Rev. Philip Agyei will concelebrate. Military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post 137.

Jerry was born February 21, 1935, on the family farm near Earlville, Iowa, son of Andrew and Theresa (Bruggeman) Knipper. He attended Lebo Country School and graduated from Xavier High School with the Class of 1953. He served in the US Army from 1957—1959, having been stationed in Japan during that time. He married Donna Mae Dingbaum on August 24, 1963, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville. He and Donna continued farming the family dairy farm on County Road X-47 until retiring to Dyersville. He was active with many boards and committees in Delaware County and North Fork Township including: 4-H Leader, North Fork Township Trustee, a member of the Bi-County Ambulance Board and Rural Fire Board. Jerry enjoyed bowling and golfing but most of all loved spending time with his family telling stories and jokes.

Survivors include his children: Karen (Curt) Espeland of Kingsport, TN, Kurt (Kathy) Knipper of Dyersville and a son-in-law, Mitch McCoy of Des Moines; grandchildren: Zachary (Lucy), Bennett, Matthew and Marcus Espeland, Nicholas, Aaron (friend DeLainy Fellinger) and Lucas Knipper, Isabella McCoy and two step grandchildren, Annemarie McCoy and Elizabeth (James Critelli) McCoy; siblings: Norma Cassidy of Bettendorf, Anna (Bernie) Manternach of Monticello and Reverend Daniel Knipper of Decorah;

in-laws: Katie Knipper of Dyersville and Betty Lois Koelker of Manchester, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna and daughter, Karla Jo; his parents and parents-in-law, Albert and Julia Dingbaum; his siblings: Larry Knipper, Norman Knipper and twin brothers in infancy; in-laws: Merald (Doris) Dingbaum, Kathleen (Robert) Mohr, Louis Koelker, JoAnn (Michael) McCauley, John Cassidy and a nephews: David and Peter Knipper.

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family. Information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com.