Bernard "Ben" Kniefel

BERNARD JAMES KNIEFEL, age 90 of Waterville passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 20, 2018.

Born on January 28, 1928 in Clinton Falls, Minnesota he was the son of Frank and Gladys (Bartosch) Kniefel.  He graduated from Waterville High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army where he trained troops for service in Korea.   Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Waterville and married Ann Morgan on April 8, 1953.  They purchased the Coast-to-Coast hardware store in Waterville which they operated for 25 years.

Ben loved working on projects-fixing, building or creating something in his garage where every tool had its place.  Ben and Ann were both activists in creating centers for children/adults with cognitive issues in Le Sueur County.  An avid outdoorsman, Ben was a founder of the Sakatah State Park in Waterville.  He also loved to water ski, bicycle, fish, garden, snowmobile, and hunt pheasants, passions that he shared with his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Ann of Waterville; daughters, Kathy Kniefel of Elysian, Kris Kniefel of St. Louis Park, and Terese Libby of Chanhassen; son, Kevin (Colette) of Fayetteville, NC; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by sisters, Agnes Kniefel of Faribault, Jeanette Lennon of Owatonna; and brother, Richard Kniefel of Owatonna.   He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Darrell Lennon.

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday, one hour before services at the church.  Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Waterville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Le Sueur County Developmental Services in Waterville or Sharing and Caring Hands in Minneapolis.

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