Cyrenus Herman Knief

SERVICES: 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2015 at United Church of Christ, Schleswig, IowaVISITATION: From 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Sunday, May 31, 2015 at Pfannebecker Funeral Home, Denison, IowaBURIAL: Morgan Township Cemetery, Schleswig, Iowa Cyrenus Herman Knief was born on the Knief family farm north of Deloit, Iowa, March 30, 1923, the son of Herman and Irma Larson Knief.  He received the sacrament of Holy Baptism on June 6, 1923, at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison.  He was raised on the farm and received his education in the local rural schools.  Following his schooling he farmed with his father.Cyrenus was united in marriage with Lois Kastner and their union was blessed with three children: Gayle, Gary and Arla.  They made their home on the farm and Cyrenus worked hard to provide for his family’s needs.Lois died suddenly at their home January 12, 1974.On February 14, 1975, Cyrenus was united in marriage with Jeannetta Trulsen Schneider at Schleswig and they made their home on the farm where Cy continued farming.  Following his retirement they remained on the farm and Cy was employed part time as a funeral assistant at Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison for many years.  Cy and Jeannetta were privileged to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary this past Valentines Day.  In their leisure time they enjoyed traveling, casino trips and attending dances, especially at Arcadia. Cyrenus was a member of the United Church of Christ in Schleswig and, during his children’s school years, he served for a time on the Schleswig School Board. Cyrenus lived his entire life on the farm he was born until May 22nd of this year when he entered the Denison Care Center in Denison where his death occurred Wednesday afternoon, May 27, 2015.  At the time of his death he had been blessed with 92 years, 1 month and 27 days. Including his parents, Herman and Irma Knief and his first wife Lois, Cyrenus was also preceded in death by a grandson in-law Denis Sullivan; step-son David Schneider; step-son-in-law Francis Krohnke and a step-great-granddaughter Bella Kenkel. Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife, Jeannetta Knief of Denison, Iowa; three children: Gayle Knief and wife Diane of Waukee, Iowa, Gary Knief of Kansas City, Missouri, and Arla and husband Paul Woerth of Liberty, Missouri; six step-children: Durene Krohnke of Denison, Iowa, Diane and husband Paul Nockels of Blair, Nebraska, Duane Schneider and Daniel Schneider of Spirit Lake, Iowa, Donna and husband Roy Osterlund of Templeton, Iowa, and Debra and husband Rick Rupiper of Honey Creek, Iowa; step-daughter-in-law Janice Schneider of Texas; 6 grandchildren; 18 step-grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; 36 step- great grandchildren; 2 step-great great grandchildren; two sisters: Gloria and husband Gene Bergman of Kiron, Iowa, and Marian Petersen of Fort Dodge, Iowa; and a host of other relatives and friends.Funeral Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2015, at United Church of Christ in Schleswig, Iowa with the Rev. Bruce Schoup officiating. Congregational hymns were “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and “On Eagle’s Wings” with Wendy Bumann serving as organist. Honorary Pallbearers were Clinton Woerth and Cory Woerth, and Pallbearers were Jason Knief, Derek Knief, Courtney Sullivan, Lindsay Murray, Duane Schneider, Daniel Schneider, Edward Sandberg, and Bradley Waldemar. Interment was at Morgan Township Cemetery, Schleswig, Iowa. Following the graveside rites and burial the family invited everyone to join them at the church for fellowship and a luncheon provided by Staley’s Catering and United Church of Christ Women’s Guild. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa was in charge of arrangements where on Sunday, May 31, 2015, a visitation was held from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.