Della Knippen

Della Knippen, age 105, of Ortonville, MN died April 14, 2014 at Northridge in Ortonville.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2014, at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Ortonville beginning at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held at Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home Friday evening from 5 – 8 p.m. and continue at the church one hour prior to the service Saturday morning.

Della Marie Rasmussen Knippen, the daughter of Hans Christian and Emma (Fairchild) Rasmussen was born October 11, 1908, in Almond Township, Clinton, Minnesota. She grew up on the family farm near Clinton and attended school in District 10, Almond Township, graduating from the 8th grade on June 26, 1925. Della was baptized in 1967 at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Ortonville, Minnesota.

Della was united in marriage with John "Jack" Knippen on November 20, 1928, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ortonville. From this union three children were born – LeRoy "Bud" Knippen, Bernadine Knippen Thomas, and Joy Diane Knippen. They made their home on a farm in Malta Township east of Clinton until they retired and moved to Ortonville in 1968.

Della was a homemaker. She belonged to the Homemaker's Club, Church Circle of the Women's Fellowship, and was a member of the Congregational UCC in Ortonville. Della enjoyed dancing, baking, couponing, canning, sewing, crocheting, embroidery, quilting, and collecting porcelain shoes.
Entertaining and attending coffee parties brought her joy. Most important to Della was spending quality time with her family and multitude of friends.

Della passed away peacefully on April 14, 2014, at Northridge Residence in Ortonville surrounded by her loving family, having reached the age of 105. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Della is survived by her daughter-in-law Sandra Knippen of Ortonville, MN; grandchildren: Ron (Lynn) Thomas of Ortonville, MN; Al (Kim) Knippen of Big Stone City, SD; DeAnn (Les) Kvidera of Chaska, MN; Mark Thomas of Palm Springs, CA; Kim Stodolski of Chaska, MN; and David (Tanya) Knippen of Chaska, MN; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Della was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jack; children: LeRoy "Bud" Knippen, Bernadine (Donald "Tucker") Thomas; and Joy Knippen; four brothers; and five sisters.