Gilbert Ephraim Knobloch

Rock Rapids, IA 

 Gilbert “Gib” Knobloch age 94 of Rock Rapids, IA died Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Avera Merrill Pioneer Medical Center in Rock Rapids. 

 Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Apostolic Christian Church in Lester, Iowa. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  There will be a time of visitation from 9:00 until 9:45 am before the service.

 Visitation will be Friday, March 7th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with the family present at the Apostolic Christian Church Fellowship Hall in Lester. 

 Gilbert Ephraim Knobloch was born on March 16, 1930, in Alvord, IA, the son of Emil and Freida (Doerr) Knobloch. He attended country school.

 On September 2, 1949, he was united in marriage to Joan Kellenberger. To this union, fourteen children were born. Joan died on October 5, 1972, and Gib later remarried Vickie Birkeland on November 4, 1973.

 Gib worked in construction and later worked for IBP in Luverne, retiring after 22 years. He enjoyed woodworking and made many knick-knacks. 

 Gib is survived by twelve children: Rol (Vick) Knobloch of Helena, MT, Tim (Maggie) Knobloch of Sioux Falls, SD, Peggy Snyders of Rock Rapids, IA, Chuck (Coralee) Knobloch of Larchwood, IA, Barb (Paul) Lesmeister of Morris, MN, Kyle Knobloch of Luverne, MN, Phil (Bobbi) Knobloch of Lafayette, IN, Jim (Marcy) Knobloch of Elgin, IA, Lou (Shari) Knobloch of Rock Rapids, IA, Paul (Barb) Knobloch of Dayton, OH, Matt (Maryann) Knobloch of Alpharetta, GA, and Ginny (Ed) Stoll of Winthrop, MN; son-in-law, Jim Weiss of Topeka, KS; 49 grandchildren, 104 great grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren; three siblings, Esther (Dennis) Warner, Bill (Ellie) Knobloch, and Clyde (Char) Knobloch; two sisters-in-law, Wilma Knobloch and Edith Knobloch; five step children, Stan (Colleen) Birkeland, Ron (Cathy) Birkeland, Ron Walters, Kathy (Dave) Busch, and Brian Birkeland; many nieces, nephews, and other extended family. 

 He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Freida Knobloch; first wife, Joan; and second wife, Vickie; infant daughter, Jean Knobloch; daughter, Ann Wiess; stepdaughter, Sandra Walters; and five siblings, Libbie Den Hartog, Naomi Knobloch, Al Knobloch, Melvin Knobloch, and Silas Knobloch; and one sister-in-law, Lucy Knobloch.