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BORN
1967
DIED
2021
FUNERAL HOME
4800 S Minnesota Avenue
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Erik Knott Obituary
Erik Jerome Knott, 54, died of natural causes in Sioux Falls, SD, on 10 June 2021.
Erik was born in Mobridge, SD, on 26 January 1967, to Thomalene and Jerry Knott. He moved to Brandon, SD, in 1984 and graduated from Brandon Valley High School in 1985.
Upon graduation, Erik joined the Marine Corps. He spent 19 years with the Corps. It was his second family. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and served as a supply sergeant and recruiter. He also rode with the Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard and was deployed to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia during The Gulf War. To the end of his life, Erik was always available to help a fellow vet.
He had a lifelong love of the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, water skiing, it didn’t matter: if it was an outdoor activity, he did it! He was also an accomplished wrestler and football player.
Erik’s mother Tomi Travis, stepfather John Travis, and stepmother Jeanie Knott survive him, as do siblings Jacqueline (Jeff) Olson, Todd Knott, Ryan Knott ( Nichole), and Jennifer Travis. So do numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. His father Jerry Knott, grandparents Pearl and Larry Knott and Shirlee and Clint Bucklin, predeceased him.
A private family service will be held at a later date with Heritage Funeral Home. Interment will be at the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls. Memorial donations may be directed to the Berakhah House in Sioux Falls.
Semper Fi, Erik!
www.heritagesfsd.com
Memories and Condolences
for Erik Knott
4 Entries
Thomas Cummiskey, U.S.M.C., 1075-1978.
July 14, 2023
Semper Fi., Brother. Rest in Peace.
H. Thompson
April 18, 2022
Sgt Knott, you taught me as a young Marine all the in's and out's of warehousing in the Marine Corps, while we were in the desert. I was a tall, skinny kid but I still looked up to you by a couple inches. You were a big dude with an easy going personality. So much so, that one day you broke the rules and entrusted me with your truck (aka order me) to go pick up a plaque off base for one of the Gunny's who was leaving at the end of the training cycle. Shortly thereafter, we parted ways as that training cycle ended and I left for my first duty station. For the next couple of years, I would recall things that you had said or taught me about being a Marine and put them to good use.
I had the pleasure of meeting you again as our paths crossed on MCRD San Diego, as you prepared to enter Recruiter School. You had picked up SSgt and I was a salty, squared away LCpl. You were dipping in uniform while walking and spitting into a styrofoam cup you were carrying. I gave you the appropriate amount of grief for it and you dished it all right back - even jokingly pulling rank just to shut me up. Regardless of how fleeting our interactions were you were always like a friend, a mentor, and a big brother to me - if for no other reason than your energetic, larger than life personality and the 6 years that separated us in age. We talked in the blazing heat like we were standing in air conditioning until your Recruiter School classmates harassed you to get your tail moving. I planned on doing a full 20 years in the Corps and I was all but certain you would be as well. Surely we'd catch up again at some point. Unfortunately, I was injured and left the service just shy of my first four years and we wouldn't cross paths again.
Tonight, as an older dude myself - with gray hair, while reminiscing about Barstow California and looking at Google maps, your name popped into my head again. With the intent to find your phone number and give you a call out of the blue nearly 30 years later. I figured you could finally tell me about the project you worked on with blacked out windows and we could have a good laugh about just how young and naive I was. As, I Googled your name, my heart sunk as the results came up.
I'm saddened and shocked to see I've missed my opportunity to reconnect with "Sgt Knott Marine Extraordinaire, one of each" who was such a great example of how to be a man, a Marine, and friend.
Semper Fidelis, Staff Sergeant Knott! Thanks for being such a good dude, Erik!
Jack and Eleanor Peterson
July 10, 2021
We were shocked and saddened to learn of Eric ‘s passing. Eleanor’s Dad and Eric’s Grandmother were brother and sister. Unfortunately time and distance interfered with our maintaining a close relationship, however our family has fond memories of Eric at Hedblom family reunions when he was high school age. His big personality (not unlike his father) was and is unforgettable. Rest In Peace, Eric.
Mary Niedringhaus
June 27, 2021
I am so sorry to learn of Eriks passing. He was in my sons class when he moved to Brandon. He just fit in so well with the kids. My son Pat died that year in a sledding accident, but his younger brother Paul played football with Erik.
Erik looked like the perfect Marine. He had a great out going personality. There was the Mobridge connection as my husband Don was from Mobridge.
Our boys beat us to heaven, but we have Gods promise that we will see them again. May you find comfort and peace knowing all is well with Erik’s soul and He is with his loving Heavenly Father.
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