Obituary of Harold Kniffen

Harold "Sonny" Kniffen, age 86, of Yankton, passed away on Monday, February 24, 2014, at the Avera Yankton Care Center, Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM on Friday, February 28, 2014 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton with Rev. Ken Lulf celebrating and Msgr. Carlton Hermann con celebrating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Lake Andes, SD at approximately 2:00 PM with military graveside rites. Visitations will begin at 5:00 PM on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton with a Rosary at 6:30 PM followed by a 7:00 PM Scripture service. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton are assisting with service details. Pallbearers will be Scott Kniffen, Adam Kniffen, Chris Kniffen, Kyler Kniffen, Travis Dvoracek, and Zachary Wiese. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren. Harold was born on February 2, 1928 in Platte, SD to Harold W. and Pauline (Fyler) Kniffen. He served his country in the United States Air Force for four years earning the rank of Staff Sergeant as a pilot flying secret missions. In 1956, he married Germaine Carda at Lake Andes and in 1989 she passed away. Harold worked as a County Executive Director for ASCS for 33 years before retiring in 1986. As his sons played baseball, Harold announced their games for years. In 1991, Harold married Pauline (Kutilek) Ekern at Tyndall. Harold was very involved in the Lake Andes community serving as a member on the School Board for 9 years, member of the Parish Council for St. Mark's Catholic Church for many years, Knights of Columbus, and a Board member of the Ft. Randall Golf Course. Harold was a life member of the VFW Post #3239, Lake Andes where he served as a Post Commander for 2 years. Harold enjoyed many outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, golfing, and farming. He also enjoyed bowling and polka dancing. Those who will cherish his memory are his wife, Polly Kniffen of Yankton, SD; 3 sons: Doug (Karol) Kniffen of Wagner, SD, daughter-in-law (Bruce's wife), Ladonna Kniffen of Yankton, SD, Robert (Lila) Kniffen of Canton, SD, Bryon Kniffen of Orange City, IA; 4 step daughters: Cindi (Brian) Goeden of Crofton, NE, Deb (Myron) Kubel of Palmdale, CA, Judy (Mark) Dvoracek of Fargo, ND, and Karen (Jeff) Wiese of Pipestone, MN; 17 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; a great great granddaughter; his sisters and brothers: Luella Thomson of Mason City, IA, Dean (Bev) Kniffen of Lake Andes, SD, Elmer Kniffen and special friend, Connie of Greeley, CO, Ken (Sharon) Kniffen of Greeley, CO, Charlotte Carda of Dueschene, UT, and Claudette (Robert) Pesicka of Cheyenne, WY; sister-in-law, Joan Kniffen of Loveland, CO and many nieces and nephews. Harold was preceded in death by his first wife, Germaine, his son, Bruce Kniffen, his parents and 2 brothers, Robert and Darold Kniffen, brothers-in-law, Ernie Carda and Ed Thomson, and great grandchild, Chase Bessette.