Harold Knoedler

Harold Edward Knoedler, 88, of Brady, Nebraska passed away in Gothenburg on October 5, 2018.  He was born November 24, 1929 at Cozad Nebraska the second child of John and Hannah Gronewold Knoedler.   Harold grew up on farms southeast of Gothenburg and then near Farnam.  As many people did in the forties, Harold started his working career early. During his 9th grade year at Farnam High School he became ill with pneumonia and missed three weeks of school.  Being so far behind, he decided to stay home and work with his Dad on the farm.  He continued to work on the farm until 1948 when he followed the wheat harvest from Oklahoma to the Dakotas.  After the harvest he returned to Gothenburg and worked at Deaver’s Service Station until he left for the Army in July 1951.  His time in Korea was an important time in his life and the source of many stories through the years.  Upon returning from the Army in July 1953 he worked for Haley Chevrolet until 1958 when he opened Rite-Way Auto Service.  Milt Sitorius, who also worked for Haley Chevrolet, joined Harold and they worked together for 14 years.  In 1979 Harold and Delores moved Rite-Way to a new shop on 5th Street and added the Big A Auto Parts store to the business.  Harold and Delores continued the business until 1992 when he retired.
One day, while working at Deaver’s Service Station, an attractive young woman walked by catching Harold’s eye. On February 17, 1951 he married Delores Anderson at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Gothenburg.  They made their home in Gothenburg where they raised four children; Diane, Layne, Kirt & Nancy.  In 1988 they moved to Jeffrey Lake south of Brady where they enjoyed the lake life and the tight-knit community.  Their marriage lasted 56 years until Delores passed away in 2007.
Harold had many talents and could build almost anything from most any material.  He had a lifelong love of gadgets and was always trying to figure out how to make them work just a little bit better.  He spent many enjoyable years perfecting his love of woodworking, sharing many of the pieces he crafted with family and friends.  He enjoyed maintaining the roads and the burn pile at the lake and loved hosting the annual lake gathering at his home.   His workshop was always open and a place where friends and neighbors would stop by  to borrow tools, get something repaired, or just sit and visit.
Survivors include his children: Diane (Calvin) Streeter of Pflugerville, TX; Layne (Lyn) Knoedler of Kearney, Kirt (Heidi) Knoedler and Nancy (Kenneth) Christensen both of Gothenburg.  He is also survived by a brother Raymond Knoedler, a sister Patricia Teter, sister-in-law Peggy Knoedler, 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren with the 14th on the way, along with many friends and extended family.
Harold was preceded in death by his wife Delores Knoedler, his parents John & Hannah, step mother Jewel Knoedler, a sister Maxine Metcalf, a brother Keith Knoedler and infant brother Robert Knoedler.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Monday, October 8, 2018, 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm with the family present from 6:00-8:00 pm..

Funeral Services will be held at American Lutheran Church, 1512 Ave G, Gothenburg, NE, Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at 10:30 am with Pastor Jon Mapa officiating.
Interment will follow in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to the Brady Rural Fire Department, PO Box 31, Brady, NE 69123 or the American Lutheran Church,  1512 Avenue G, Gothenburg, NE 69138.