Walt F. Knipper, 86, of Petersburg, Iowa died Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at his home in Petersburg, Iowa.

Friends and relatives of Walt may call from 9 until time of services, Monday, August 1, 2016 at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Petersburg, Iowa. Reiff Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.

Services for Walt will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 1, 2016 at the SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Petersburg, Iowa with Rev. John O'Conner officiating. Burial will be held in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Petersburg, Iowa, with full Military honors afforded by the Dyersville American Legion Post #137 and the VFW New Vienna Post #7736.

He was born June 21, 1930 in Petersburg, Iowa, son of August and Rose (Thole) Knipper. He received his education from SS. Peter and Paul Catholic School. He served in the Army, during the Korean War. On November 26, 1976 he was united in marriage to Charlotte Bateman Straub at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Petersburg, Iowa. He farmed in the Peterburg area all his life on the family farm until his retirement in 1994 when he moved into town.

He is a member of SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Petersburg and a member of the Dyersville American Legion Post #137 for which he was a member for 50 years. He also a member of the VFW – Veterans of Foreign Wars, New Vienna Post #7736.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Knipper of Petersburg, Iowa; children, Larry (Kathy) Knipper of Cascade, IA, and Deonna (Kevin Sweeney) Straub of Henderson, CO; two grandchildren Evan and Erin Knipper; two siblings, Kathleen Osterhaus of Dyersville, IA, and Rick (Jane) Knipper of Iowa City, IA; two sisters-in-law, Vanita Knipper of Manchester, IA and Julia Knipper of Kansas City, KS; two brothers-in-law, Virgil (Winifred) Bateman and James (Betty) Bateman Both of Winthrop, IA; one sister-in-law, Arlene Bateman of Oelwein, IA.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Darnell Knipper, his son, Scott Knipper in May 1976; four brothers, Lavern (Alice) Knipper, Ralph, Joe (Norma) Knipper and Gilbert (Viola) Knipper; two brothers-in-law, Marvin Bateman and Lavern Osterhaus.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be given in memory of Walt F. Knipper to the Hospice of Comfort, 613 W. Main St. P.O. Box 359, Manchester, IA, 52057.