Elmer J Kniss

Elmer J. Kniss, 88, of Scottsbluff, died Sunday, April 26, 2015 at Heritage Estates in Gering. His funeral service will be held at 10 AM on Friday, May 1, 2015 at Zion Evangelical Church in Scottsbluff with Rev. Andy Griess officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-7 PM on Thursday at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel. Memorials may be directed to the Zion Evangelical Church AWANA program. Online condolences may be left at www.dugankramer.com

Elmer was born April 13, 1927 on the family farm near Minatare, Nebraska to Conrad and Anna (Helzer) Kniss. He attended Bayard Schools and farmed in the Bayard area until his retirement in 1984. Elmer married Louise Goss on November 30, 1952 in Bayard. The couple moved to Scottsbluff in 1993.

Elmer was a High Ten Sugar Beet grower for Great Western for three years. He continued to help his sons farm after his retirement and spent many hours helping his daughter with her garden. He enjoyed going for coffee every morning at McDonald’s in Scottsbluff and loved babysitting and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Elmer served on the Hope Congregational Church board in Bayard for several years and was a member at Zion Evangelical Church in Scottsbluff.

Elmer is survived by his wife Louise of Scottsbluff; children Kathleen, Greg and Jeanette, and Kevin and Kim all of Scottsbluff; grandchildren Andrea and Brian Keith of Ephrata, PA, Scott and Heather Kniss of Gering, and Austin Kniss of Scottsbluff; great-grandchildren Isaac and Lily Keith and Gibson and Gideon Kniss; sisters Helen Sargent and Gloria Landry both of Scottsbluff and Marian Schaaf of Estates Park, CO; several nieces and nephews.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Kenneth and Rueben.