Ruth Knippel, 82, formerly of Claremont

Ruth A. Knippel, 82, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, formerly of Claremont, died Wednesday, May 13, 2015, at Van Diest Medical Center in Webster City, Iowa. 
A service honoring Ruth’s life was held May 18 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge. 
Ruth is survived by her sons, Randy Knippel, Perry; and Brett (Margo) Knippel, Barnum; two grandchildren, Mitch and Nicole; a great-grandchild Carter; her sisters, Theresa Reese, New Richland; and Anita Kern, Claremont; and her sister-in-law Norma Behne, Owatonna. 
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Eugene, her son Flint and a brother Bud. 
Ruth A. Behne, the daughter of Robert and Helen (Kvasnicka) Behne, was born Oct. 28, 1932, in Blooming Prairie. She lived in Blooming Prairie until moving to Claremont from where she graduated high school in 1951. 
On July 3, 1955, Ruth was married to Eugene Knippel in Dodge Center. Ruth and Gene operated Knippel’s Gardens in Fort Dodge. She was employed at Lori Jean’s Candy Shop before she managed the Fanny Farmer store at the mall for 20 years, retiring in 2001.   
Ruth was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church where she was a member of Martha Circle. She enjoyed gardening and spending time with her grandchildren.