Donald Elmer KnackstedtAugust 1, 1929 - April 5, 2012
The death of Mr. Donald Elmer Knackstedt of St. Mary's Villa, Humboldt, SK, (and formerly of Englefeld, SK), occurred peacefully in his sleep at his residence on Thursday, April 5, 2012. He was 82 years of age. Donald was born on August 1, 1929, to August and Sophia (nee Boege) Knackstedt at home on the family farm northeast of Englefeld. He was raised there and attended Greenside Rural School, usually traveling by horse and caboose. Following his education, Donald began his life-long occupation of farming, both at home and at many neighboring farms. His love of the soil carried over to gardening. He was a great gardener, and spent many pleasurable hours tending to his vegetables and flowers. On August 13, 1957, Donald married Elizabeth Leffler. Three children, two sons and a daughter, were born to them. Over the years, Donald enjoyed a variety of hobbies and interests, including going to the horse races with his friend Orville and his Aunt Annie, attending the Melfort Fair, curling, dancing, traveling, reading, and telling stories while visiting with family and friends. Donald spent a lot of time with his nieces and nephews fishing, making brown sugar candy, and even teaching them to chew snuff. He had a good sense of humor and a jolly laugh, and loved to get others laughing with him. Several years ago, Donald made his first trip to Grande Prairie to get reacquainted with his sons, whom he hadn't seen since they were very young. In more recent years, he went on many excursions with his daughter to visit his friends and, in the summer months, to check out the crops. When Donald was living in LeRoy, he enjoyed spending time and doing puzzles with his grandson Levi. Late in his life, Donald resided in Spalding. As his health began to fail due to kidney cancer, he lived at Quill Plains Centennial Lodge in Watson, Evergreen Country Home in LeRoy and, finally, St. Mary's Villa in Humboldt. An easy-going guy, he settled into each place comfortably and enjoyed interacting with the nurses. Donald is survived by his children: Shirley (Bill) Robideau and family of Grande Prairie, AB; Audrey (Charles) Fowler and family of Fort St. John, BC; Lloyd Knackstedt, and Neil Butler (Lynne) and family, all of Grande Prairie, AB; five sisters: Annie Knuth, Bernice Prokopetz, Lucille Doerkson, Lillian Erker, and Sophie Sajtos; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two grandchildren: Christopher Butler and Alisha Butler; parents, August and Sophia (nee Boege) Knackstedt; and by three sisters and six brothers: Elsie Nelson, August Knackstedt Jr., Ernest Knackstedt, Herb Knackstedt, Harry Knackstedt, Paul Knackstedt, Howard Knackstedt, Emma Trapp, and Marie Knackstedt. The Funeral Service for Donald was held at Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, on Saturday, April 14, 2012, at 10:30 a.m., officiated by Rev. Al Hingley. The eulogy was delivered by Emil Knuth, and the urnbearers were Lloyd Knackstedt, Neil Butler and Levi Fowler. Interment followed at the Englefeld Public Cemetery, Englefeld. Memorial donations may be directed to either the St. Mary's Villa Foundation or the Humboldt District Hospital Foundation General Equipment Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
