Donald H. “Clem” (80) and Nancy A. (Michels) (77) Knockel passed away just five days apart. Clem passed on December 8th at home, Nancy passed on December 13th at UnityPoint Health, Finley Hospital both with their family by their side.

A joint Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 20, 2024, at Saint Catherine Catholic Church in St. Catherine, Iowa with Fr. Andy Upah officiating. Their burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation for both will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at the Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, with a parish wake service to be held at 2:45 p.m. Additional visitation will be on Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. at the funeral home.

Clem was born on October 18, 1944, in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Herbert and Evelyn (Weimerskirch) Knockel. He graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1962.

Nancy was born on July 1, 1947, in Bellevue, Iowa, daughter of Tom and Lorraine (Mueller) Michels. She graduated from Bellevue Marquette High School in 1965.

Clem and Nancy were married on September 18, 1965, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bellevue. In 1968, they purchased the family farm, where they built a life together. Clem balanced his passion for farming with a variety of careers, working as an excavator for FN Smith, working at Prairie Springs Woodworking, and co-owning St. Donatus Implement, all while tending to the farm. Nancy dedicated herself to the Dubuque Community School District as a school bus driver and worked at Happy’s Place, all while embracing her role as a devoted farmwife.

Farming was Clem’s lifelong passion. He was a proud early member of the Key West Sportsman’s Club and belonged to the local operator’s union and the Holy Name Society. In his free time, he enjoyed restoring tractors, going on tractor rides, and lending a hand with home projects for his children and grandchildren. During the winters when the weather was bad, Clem was always willing to help anyone out who needed a tow. 

Nancy brought energy and joy to everything she did. She loved playing softball and coaching the Little League. She also enjoyed games like horseshoes and cards, and cherished time spent with her grandchildren. Her happiest moments were when the entire family was gathered together.

The couple shared many interests, including their love for side-by-side rides and classic cars. Together, they were active members of St. Catherine’s Parish, a community that held a special place in their hearts.

Clem and Nancy’s legacy lives on with their children Cindi (Doug) Hirsch, Cheri ( Tim) Martens, Tom ( Sarah) Knockel and Keith (Karen) Knockel, grandchildren Staci (Howie) Lincoln, Jennifer (Tim) Jelinek, Emily (Erik) Odegard, Matthew (Tori) Hirsch, Korey Martens, Kelsey (Chad Cerny) Martens, Kaleb Martens, Katelyn (Antonio) Armstrong, Madison Knockel, Mitchell (Courtney) Knockel, Samantha Knockel, Jackie (Phil) Knockel, Dominick Knockel, Marrissa Knockel, and great grandchildren Lucy Lincoln, Lily Lincoln, Livi Lincoln, Chloe Jelinek, Leah Jelinek, Nahla Cerny, Laine Cerny, AJ Armstrong, Aliyah Armstrong, Ryder Knockel and Kynzlee Knockel. Clem is survived by his siblings Bonnie (Terry) Pfeiffer, Mike (Jeanne) Knockel, Pauline (Mark) Hancock, Sandy (Steve) Strub, Pam (Ron) Schuster and Teri (Michael) Chensky and siblings-in-law Linda Knockel and Bob Blum. Nancy is survived by her siblings Joanne Veach, Jim (Kate) Michels, Jeanette (Darel) Felderman, Barb (Terry) Jensen and Jeff (Barb) Michels and sister-in-law Gail Michels.

They were both preceded in death by their parents. Clem was preceded by two siblings Bill “Joker” Knockel and Linda “Lefty” Blum, and his niece Becky Blum. Nancy was preceded in death by her brother Greg Michels, brother-in-law Jack Veach, and nephew Jason Veach.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Dubuque for their amazing care of dad, the UnityPoint Finley ICU nurses and staff for their loving care of mom, and to Deanna Michels for being the best home care giver.