Jo Ellen (Knerl) Treinen

Jo Ellen (Knerl) Treinen, 87, of Sioux City, passed away on February 18, 2026, surrounded by her children at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 28, at 10:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Sioux City. A luncheon will follow at Trinity Heights Queen of Peace Shrine, Sioux City, followed by a burial service at Calvary (South Creek) Cemetery, Ponca NE. Visitation will be held Friday, February 27, at Christy Smith Funeral Home, Larkin Chapel, Sioux City, beginning at 5:00 p.m., with Rosary and Prayer Service beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Jo Ellen Knerl was born January 26, 1939, at St. Vincent Hospital, Sioux City, the daughter of Orin and Bonnie (Davey) Knerl of Ponca NE. Jo Ellen grew up in Ponca. She graduated high school from Mount Marty Academy, Yankton SD, and earned her education degree from Briar Cliff College in Sioux City.

Jo Ellen married William (Bill) Treinen on July 9, 1960, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Ponca NE. Their marriage was blessed with seven children. Jo Ellen worked briefly as a school teacher following graduation from Briar Cliff, but soon thereafter became a homemaker.

Jo Ellen and Bill began married life in Le Mars IA. Through their marriage, Bill’s employment brought Jo Ellen to Storm Lake IA, to Canton SD, to Yankton SD, and ultimately, in 1988, to Sioux City. Throughout, Jo Ellen’s Catholic Christian faith guided her life, her relationships, her advocacy, and her involvements. In each of these communities, Jo Ellen volunteered for church parish projects and initiatives, involved herself in prayer groups and Bible study, supported the pro-life movement, and encouraged and prayed for vocations to the Catholic priesthood and religious life. Jo Ellen was a longtime volunteer counselor with Birthright of Siouxland and Birthright in Yankton, helped to lead Marriage Encounter weekends, and supported seminarians and other Catholic vocations through active membership in the Serra Club of Siouxland since its founding in 1996.

Jo Ellen enjoyed travel, concerts and theatre, and even the occasional crafting hobby, but she really prioritized kids. She steadfastly supported her children’s school and adult activities and livelihoods. It was a rarity that Jo Ellen missed one of her kids’ ballgames, track meets, choir concerts, theatre productions, piano recitals, or other activities. And she maintained this commitment with her grandchildren, often traveling hundreds of miles to wrap herself in a blanket for a windy junior high football game, attend a high school musical, or squeeze into a crowded gym for a grade school basketball tournament, even into her last year of life. Jo Ellen’s faith, her children, and her grandchildren were the focus of her efforts in all that she did, and near the end of her life, nothing brought her more joy than when a new great-grandbaby was brought in to visit her.

Jo Ellen is survived by her seven children: Amy (Kevin) Ely of Seattle WA; Paul (Julie) Treinen of Ortonville MN; Betsy Treinen of St. Paul MN; Katy (Nick) Karrer of Sioux City; Daniel (Stacie) Treinen of Minneapolis MN; Michael (Lola) Treinen of Waterloo IA; and Matthew (Jennifer) Treinen of St. Paul MN. Also mourning Jo Ellen’s passing, but cheering her into Heaven, are sixteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. In addition, Jo Ellen is survived by two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Langel of Le Mars IA, and Charlotte (Terry) Townsend of Newton IA. Jo Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Treinen; her parents, Orin and Bonnie Knerl; her brothers and sisters-in-law Jack and Betty Knerl, Jerry and Margaret Knerl, Bob and Norma Knerl, and Phil and Pat Knerl; and her sister and brother-in-law Mary Ann and Tom Wente.

The family thanks Holy Spirit Retirement Home and Hospice of the Midwest for their committed care of Jo Ellen in her final months.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jo Ellen’s name may be directed to The Abbey of the Hills (46561 147th Street, Marvin SD 57251) or to Trinity Heights (P.O. Box 1707, Sioux City IA 51102-1707).