Delbert C. Kneeland

Delbert C. Kneeland, 90, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, passed away Monday, Jan. 8, 2007 at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake. A memorial service was held Thursday, Jan. 11, at the United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake. Memorials make be given in Delbert's name to the United Methodist Church or the the Lions Club. Delbert was born Sept. 15, 1916, in Riverside, Iowa, to Jacob Earl and Virdie (Marken) Kneeland. He graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1934. He was united in marriage to Doris Bunse on June 5, 1942 in Newton, Iowa. Delbert worked for Fisher Controls in Marshalltown, Iowa, as a machinist and a pattern maker for 38 years, before retiring in 1979. Delbert and Doris moved to Clear Lake, where they resided for 14 years, before moving to Spirit Lake. Delbert was a member of the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and was a Boy Scout leader for many years. In scouting he received the Silver Beaver Award. He was also a member of the United Methodist Church, the Lions Club, a past-president of the United Methodist Camp at Clear Lake and was active on the Iowa District Camp Board. Delbert enjoyed wood working, making candy, traveling, and Winnebago camping. Delbert is survived by his wife, Doris Kneeland of Spirit Lake; two daughters, Caroline Tritle and her husband, Merlin, of Spirit Lake, and Janice Laughlin and her husband, Fred, of Indianapolis, Ind.; two sons, Gerald Kneeland and his wife, Sherry, of Marion, Iowa, and Dale Kneeland and his wife, Sheryl, of Austin, Texas; seven grandchildren, Heather Vugteveen, Nathan Tritle, Matt deSilva, Brian Tritle, Angela Kneeland, David Kneeland, and Heidi Klinghagen; eight great-grandchildren, Kyler, Hannah, Garret, Sam, Bailey, Andrew, Layne and Lily; two sisters, Mary Lensch and her husband, Ken, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Irma Vance and her husband, Randall, of Burlington, Iowa; and one brother, Lester Kneeland, of Vinton, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Ivan and Ira; and one sister, Avis.