Daniel LeRoy "Dan" Knaack

Daniel LeRoy Knaack, age 92, passed away peacefully at home on December 3, 2025. Dan was born April 4, 1933 at 4:20 a.m. at the family home on 207 Van Street in Neenah, WI. He was the youngest of four children born to Eva Ida (Baer) Knaack and Raymond Charles Knaack.

Dan was known for having a remarkable memory and the following are some things he wanted to share. When Dan was young, he went to church every Sunday and received a Bible with gold trim. He then was confirmed at age 11. He had to trudge through snow, wind, and rain while running to keep up with his brothers and sister. 1.5 miles each way (crying all the way). His family lived at 3 di erent address's on Van Street in Neenah (207, 211, and 505) for 21 years.

Dan's first job was delivering news papers for Twin City News Record and the Milwaukee Sentinel from the ages of 8 to 11. He had the corner of N. Commercial and Wisconsin Avenue in Neenah. He remembers delivering the paper the day after the Pearl Harbor attack and after President Roosevelt died. The cost of a paper was 5 cents, and he got a penny for each paper sold.

At age 11, Dan drove tractor for his Grandparents, Herman and Ida Baer for 3 years. They had a 220 acre farm on the corner of Dixie Road and County G in Neenah.
At age 16, Dan went to work for Neenah-Menasha Ford. In 1953-1954 he was in the Army (Korean War). He was in the 6th Armored Division in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO (June-August 1953). His area of focus was Demolition. His most significant duty was the 306th Engineer Dump Truck Company. His decorations and medals consisted of United Nations Medal, Korean Service Ribbon, and the National Defense Service Medal. His Separation date was December 17, 1954. He returned to Neenah- Menasha Ford after the Army.

On July 4, 1957 he married the love of his life, Joan Marie Doberstein. That same year he started Dan's DX station on the corner of Lake and Main Street in Neenah and ran it for 1.5 years.

On July 9, 1959 he started Neenah Main Auto Body along with his partner, Calvin Kloehn. Cal died tragically on the job in September, 1982 while pulling a horse trailer out of a ditch. Dan retired in 1994 due to throat cancer. It was at that time that his sons (Dan and Kent) and daughter (Beth) took over the business. The family business was later passed down to the next generation and is currently operated by Grandson Mitchell and Granddaughter Billie. Dan later endured colon cancer (2004), a risky carotid artery surgery, and melanoma skin cancer. In the end, it was lung cancer and congestive heart failure that he succumbed to.

Now onto some of Dan's favorite things to do. Dan loved the gambling machines. For many years, he and Joan would hit the casino's and would have a blast. In his final years, he enjoyed going to Willie Beamons on Sunday morning with Beth, to play the machines and get some breakfast. He loved playing Dominos with Beth, Kent, JoAnn, Debbie, Ray, Mac, and Dawn.

He enjoyed planting his flowers and maintaining his yard. He loved riding on his electric cart and chasing the geese o his lawn. In his younger years, he would build ornamental light houses, replica civil war cannons, small tugboats that he would take out on the lake, and restore vehicles.

For many years he enjoyed boating, snowmobiling, motorcycling, and trips in the motorhomes. They spent many years going to their land in Hatley, WI. He loved spending time with his family. Dan and Joan would throw huge parties at their home with tents, bands, and beer trucks. You could usually find the hot tub going and Dan wasn't shy about being seen in his birthday suit. Dan and Joan really knew how to enjoy life!

Dan was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws Clarence and Helen Doberstein; siblings (and their spouses) Richard (Sue), Joyce (James) Whitney, and Charles (Bernice); his Son Daniel Knaack; Son-in-Law Daniel Jurgenson; and Great Granddaughters Hayley Kolda and Raegan Knaack.

Dan is survived by his wife Joan, Daughter Beth Jurgenson, and Son Kent (JoAnn) Knaack. Grandchildren: Kenneth (Jessica) Jurgenson, Mitchell (Caitlyn) Knaack, Billie (Jon) Olds, Kelly Knaack, and Luke Knaack. Step Grandchildren: Eric (Dana) Feagles, McKenna Kosmerchock, and Nathan Kerrigan. Great Grandchildren: Noah, Brynn, Gage, Joseph, Jacob, Taylor, Zeke, Oziah, and Hope. Step Great Grandchildren: Hunter, Sylvia, Rheanna, Christopher, David, Tristan, Hudson, and Jax. Additional special people include Daughter-in-law Debbie Knaack-DeRoche and her spouse Ray DeRoche; Sister-in-law Carol Bunnell; family friend Dawn Kettner; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Dan also leaves behind his 2 beloved cats, Tigger and Midnight.

Dad's old sayings: Live fast, Love hard, Die young and leave a good looking corpse.

(Oops! Too late for that!).

We would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful caretakers with Compassus hospice, that made dad's final days comfortable and peaceful.
A memorial service will be held Friday December 12, 2025 at 2:30 pm at Westgor Funeral Home, 205 W Doty Ave, Neenah, WI 54956, followed by military honors. A visitation will be held from 1:30 pm until the time of service.