Obituary of Shane Knittel

Shane Knittel, age 43 of Sioux Falls and formerly Menno, died Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at Sanford USD Medical Center, Sioux Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Monday, June 30, 2014 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Menno with Rev. David Ellis officiating. Burial will be in the Menno Cemetery. Visitations will be 2-5 PM, Sunday, June 29, 2014 at the Aisenbrey-Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Menno with the family present. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Shane Knittel, son of Duane and Gladys (Wollman) Knittel was born on March 5, 1971 in Sioux Falls, SD, he was later joined by his brother, Lance. His interests in school were football and wrestling (Scotland-Menno), graduating from Menno High School in 1989. After high school, he attended Black Hills State University for one year, then transferred to Dakota State University the following year to be closer to his mother in her battle with cancer, which she lost in January 1991. He spent his summer working for Hutchinson County, then went to work for Wilson Trailer prior to enrolling at Mitchell Technical Institute to pursue an Associate Degree in HVAC. He pursued this field for the remainder of his life, ending his career with the ADP Company. His interests in life were hunting and the joys of fishing and being outdoors. His most memorable and enjoyable trip was a drive to Washington State, giving him the opportunity to hike the trails in Glacier National Park and hike to the snow line on Mt. Rainier. The beauty of the Black Hills located in the rain forest of Western Washington left a lasting impression, one that he recounted often. He departed his earthly life on June 24th after having cancer surgery on March 4th, in the same hospital in which he was born, now named Sanford, in Sioux Falls, SD. Shane is survived by his father, Duane of Menno, South Dakota; brother, Lance and wife, Melisa of Spearfish, SD; nephews, Paxton and Carson; the joy of his life, his two dogs, Doc and Maggie, that he walked every morning and evening; three uncles: Lloyd and Darlene Wollman of Rapid City, SD, Harold and Lucille Wollman of Longmont, CO and Donald and Barb Knittel of Freeman, SD and numerous cousins. Shane was preceded in death by his mother, Gladys (Wollman) and his grandparents, Richard and Adella Knittel and Karl and Lydia Wollman. A kindred spirit was the sunshine of his soul.