Joseph G. “Jerry” Knipper – Dyersville

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 29 th 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.